System, method and software for healthcare selection based on pangenetic data

ABSTRACT

A system, method and software for healthcare selection are presented in which a user can authorize the comparison of their pangenetic (genetic and epigenetic) data with data profiles corresponding to health care products, services, and service providers to determine which are the most appropriate for a particular consumer. Data masks can be applied to limit the amount of pangenetic data transmitted for analysis.

This application in a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/207,720, filed Sep. 10, 2008, entitled System for Secure MobileHealthcare Selection, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description will be better understood when readin conjunction with the appended drawings, in which there is shown oneor more of the multiple embodiments of the present invention. It shouldbe understood, however, that the various embodiments are not limited tothe precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a pangenetic based profiling & selection system;

FIG. 2 illustrates pangenetic profiles for pangenetic based selection ofhealthcare services;

FIG. 3 illustrates pangenetic based rank-ordered tabulations ofservices;

FIG. 4 illustrates pangenetic profiles for pangenetic based selection ofhealthcare providers;

FIG. 5 illustrates pangenetic profiles for pangenetic based selection ofhealthcare establishments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a pangenetic based selection system for use by aconsumer;

FIG. 7 illustrates a pangenetic based selection system for use by aprovider;

FIG. 8 illustrates a pangenetic based selection system incorporatingnon-pangenetic selection;

FIG. 9 illustrates a first activity diagram depicting pangenetic basedselection of a provider;

FIG. 10 illustrates a second activity diagram depicting pangenetic basedselection of a provider;

FIG. 11 illustrates a third activity diagram depicting pangenetic basedselection of a provider;

FIG. 12 illustrates a fourth activity diagram depicting pangenetic basedselection of a provider;

FIG. 13 illustrates an activity diagram depicting pangenetic basedselection of a service;

FIG. 14 illustrates abstract representations of data masks;

FIG. 15 illustrates a class diagram depicting a healthcare database;

FIG. 16 illustrates a masked database transaction system;

FIG. 17 illustrates a masked data transaction system for selection ofservices and providers;

FIG. 18 illustrates a masked database transaction system for a mobileenvironment;

FIG. 19 illustrates a computing system on which the present method andsystem can be implemented; and

FIG. 20 illustrates a representative deployment diagram for a pangeneticbased profiling, selection & approval system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With the recent introduction and successes of single nucleotidepolymorphism (SNP) sequencing, full genomic sequencing and epigeneticsequencing in humans, wide ranging applications that utilizeindividuals' pangenetic (genetic and epigenetic) information becomepossible. Herein we disclose methods, systems, software and databasesfor personalized pangenetic based selection of products, services,service providers and establishments to facilitate efficient selectionand recommendation of the most appropriate products and services forindividual consumers and to improve the efficiency and quality ofdelivery of those products and services to consumers by providers andprovider establishments. The disclosed inventions can also be used byindustries such as the insurance industry to facilitate the selectionand approval of covered products and services for plan members, and tofacilitate the processing of financial transactions such as insuranceclaims.

In one embodiment, pangenetic based selection of products, services,service providers and establishments for an individual (e.g., aconsumer) is accomplished in part by determining and utilizingassociations between combinations of pangenetic features—also referredto in this disclosure as pangenetic data—and particular historicaloutcomes (i.e., successful outcome or customer satisfaction) experiencedwith specific products, services, service providers and establishments.These associations can be predetermined and stored in a database, orthey can be determined in real time upon receiving a query (i.e., arequest for information).

One aspect of the present invention is designed to determine and utilizeassociations between pangenetic features (genetic and epigeneticattributes) and non-pangenetic features of consumers and the outcomesthey experience with particular products, services, service providersand establishments to improve selection of these entities for futureconsumers. Within the healthcare field for example, we expect it will beof tremendous benefit, as pangenetic data becomes more widely availableand utilized in the near future, for patients to allow access andevaluation of their pangenetic data as part of treatment and providerselection. Applying the disclosed invention for this purpose has thepotential to vastly improve the efficacy and efficiency achieved by thehealthcare industry.

With respect to the healthcare industry it is known that medicalproviders such as physicians and hospitals, in part because of theirrelationships with pharmaceutical and medical device companies and theirsales representatives, favor the prescription of a certain subset ofdrugs and medical devices for a targeted set of health conditions. Forexample, one group of physicians and hospitals may favor therapy regimenA which uses medication B and device C to treat a specific healthcondition, whereas a different group of physicians and hospitals mayfavor administration of therapy regimen X which uses medication Y anddevice Z to treat the same health condition. Because certain medicationsand therapies may have different success rates for individuals withdifferent pangenetic makeups, this can lead to more successful treatmentof a particular subgroup of patients by a particular subgroup ofphysicians and hospitals that administer medications and therapies whichfavor the particular pangenetic makeup of that subgroup of patients. Forexample, a first pangenetic subgroup of individuals may achieve moresuccessful results with the therapy regimen A above, while a secondpangenetic subgroup of individuals may achieve more successful treatmentoutcome by physicians and hospitals administering therapy regimen Xabove. By using pangenetic data to select products, services, providersand establishments that will achieve the best results for specificindividuals, better treatment success rates can be readily achieved inthe healthcare industry. This approach is equally applicable to otherindustries in which the compatibility of consumers with the products,services, service providers and establishments is strongly influenced byconsumers' individual pangenetic characteristics.

Both the consumer (e.g., patient), the healthcare professional (e.g.,clinician), and the healthcare insurer desire consistent excellentoutcomes and high satisfaction levels with healthcare products andservices that are delivered. By evaluating consumers' pangeneticfeatures in the selection of products, services, service providers andestablishments, consistently better outcomes and higher levels ofsatisfaction can be achieved, thereby reducing waste and increasingefficiency in the healthcare industry as well as potentially minimizingadverse reactions, complications and deaths. To accomplish this,pangenetic data shared in common between individuals that experience agood treatment outcome using a particular healthcare product, service,service provider, or establishment can be stored in association with anidentifier (i.e., ID) representing that particular product, service,service provider, or establishment in a database. The relationshipsbetween particular combinations (i.e., patterns) of pangenetic data andparticular outcomes can be identified and determined through the use ofstatistical methods to determine statistical correlations between thosedata, which can be recorded in datasets and databases as storedassociations (correlations) between data representing those entities,for example. Later, these stored associations can be accessed by theconsumer or healthcare professional using methods and systems disclosedherein which enable the user to query the database and conduct anautomated comparison of the consumer's pangenetic makeup with pangeneticdata contained in the database in order to select the medical product,service, service provider and/or establishment that is optimal for thatconsumer. Pangenetic based associations can be used simultaneously andin conjunction with (e.g., in combinatorial association with)non-pangenetic features of the customer such as age, gender, ethnicity,diet, lifestyle, and zip code (i.e., location), as well asnon-pangenetic features of products and services such as recommended agefor usage and adverse interactions with other products and services, andnon-pangenetic features of service providers and establishments such asrelative pricing and location, for example, to further refine potentialselections.

Pangenetic data for an individual can be generated through SNPsequencing and/or genomic sequencing of an individual's cellular andmitochondrial DNA by a genetic sequencing facility. SNP sequencingprovides a partial glimpse of an individual's pangenetic makeup bydetermining the identity of nucleotides at common polymorphic sitesscattered throughout the genome. These polymorphic sites can beassociated with disease and health related phenotypes, as well as otherphenotypes (i.e., physical and behavioral outcomes and features) ofinterest.

Pangenetic data can also be generated for an individual using genomicsequencing which provides contiguous stretches of genomic nucleotidesequence that may encompass portions of genes, entire genes, or theentire genome comprising 46 chromosomes and approximately 6 billionnucleotide base pairs (approximately 3 billion from maternalcontribution and 3 billion from paternal contribution). The greaterresolution and coverage of the genome provided by genomic sequencing canpotentially provide stronger and more statistically significantcorrelations with specific products, services, service providers andestablishments. Further, SNP sequence data can be easily obtained fromcontiguous genomic sequence data, while the reverse is not possiblesince SNPs typically represent non-contiguous nucleotide locations inthe genome. Therefore, methods that are designed to use the SNPinformation can be designed to extract SNP information from genomicsequence data as well. Pangenetic data representing epigeneticmodifications of genomic DNA in the form of methylated cytosinenucleotides can be determined through similar methods employed in SNPand genomic sequencing after chemically treating the DNA with bisulfitefor example, as is known to those skilled in the art.

There are several ways to represent pangenetic data in the presentinvention. For example, SNPs can be represented in datasets of thepresent invention by their unique numerical identifiers (for example,those listed in the NCBI's reference SNP database) and the identity ofthe nucleotide(s) present at each SNP position, potentially for both thematernal and paternal alleles. For example, homozygous A/A at SNPRs6679677 indicates an individual possesses adenosine (A) nucleotides atthe SNP Rs6679677 location on both the maternal and paternal alleles.Genomic sequence information on the other hand, can be represented by acombination of nucleotide position within the genome (usually withrespect to a specific chromosome) and nucleotide identity (i.e., A, T,C, G). Epigenomic modification involving methylated cytosine residues ingenomic DNA can be represented by a combination of nucleotide positionand methylation status, where methylation status can be represented as abinary value (e.g., methylated (1) and unmethylated (0)). A descriptorwhich distinguishes whether a particular genetic or epigenetic featurelies on the maternal or paternal chromosome can also be included.

A significant advantage of incorporating pangenetic data into theselection of products, services, service providers and establishments isthat pangenetic data are not susceptible to a variety of bias errorsincluding misclassification bias, interview bias, surveillance bias,recall bias and reporting bias, which routinely affect other datacollected and reported with respect to consumers. Further, qualitycontrol methods and multi-pass approaches used in modern geneticsequencing can ensure that measurement errors associated with thesequencing technology are nearly eliminated.

In one embodiment, an individual (i.e., consumer or patient) submits abodily tissue or fluid sample to a genetic sequencing facility for SNPsequencing, or full or partial genomic and epigenomic sequencing. Thegenetic facility performs sequencing of DNA present in the sample andstores the resulting pangenetic data of the individual as an ElectronicMedical Record (EMR) or equivalent. An EMR containing primarilypangenetic data associated with the individual can be termed apangenetic EMR. Similar to the existing characteristics of EMRs, thepangenetic EMR would be an authenticated record produced by a licensedor certified health care facility or service provider, for example agenetic sequencing facility. The individual can request download of thepangenetic EMR from the genetic sequencing facility to their ElectronicHealth Record (EHR), which is a essentially a compilation of EMRsgenerated by medical providers (e.g., physicians, therapists) andmedical establishments (e.g., hospitals, clinics, laboratories,pharmacies) that the individual received medical products or servicesfrom over time. The individual controls access to the data contained intheir EHR, and as such, the individual can initiate and recordauthorizations in the EHR system for each medical provider or medicalestablishment that the individual would like to have access pangeneticdata in their EHR. In another embodiment the EHR may alternatively existin the form of a Personal Health Record (PHR), which is an ElectronicHealth Record which includes data from EMRs as well as data entered bythe individual themself. Similarly to an EHR, the individual mustprovide authorization in order for others to be able to access thepangenetic and other data contained in their PHR.

Within this disclosure, the term ‘medical’ can be interpreted toencompass the term ‘surgical’. The term ‘healthcare’, when used inreference to products, services, service providers and establishments,can be interpreted to encompass those products, services, serviceproviders and establishments used within the medical industry as well asthose used outside the medical industry for health related purposes.When used with respect to the healthcare industry, the term‘establishments’ can refer to clinics, hospitals, inpatient centers,outpatient centers, transient care facilities, rehabilitation centers,therapeutic centers, nursing homes, convalescent homes, palliative carecenters, hospices, pharmacies, healthcare product vendors, medicalteaching facilities, biomedical research facilities, clinical researchcenters, biotechnology companies and pharmaceutical companies, forexample. While the products, services, service providers andestablishments of the present disclosure may be related to medical careor healthcare, if not so specified, they can also be related to othermarkets, fields and industries.

Within this disclosure the term ‘service’ can be interpreted in one ormore embodiments to encompass the manufacture, modeling, formulation,prescription, ordering, delivery, advertising, promotion, sale,distribution, transportation, administration, evaluation,recommendation, representation, description, transformation, packaging,receipt, disposal, storage or use of a product. Within this disclosurethe terms ‘provider’ and ‘service provider’ can also be interpreted inone or more embodiments to encompass establishments which provide aservice, and if used with a descriptor such as ‘healthcare’ (e.g.,healthcare service provider, healthcare provider), can be interpreted toencompass establishments that provide a service within the market, fieldor industry indicated by the descriptor.

The terms ‘database server’ and ‘server’ are often used interchangeablywithin this disclosure. The terms ‘pangenetic database’, ‘pangeneticdatabase server’ and ‘pangenetic server’ can be interpreted in one ormore embodiments to encompass the respective database, database serverand server of either an EMR, EHR or PHR. Within this disclosure the term‘features’, as for example in pangenetic features and non-pangeneticfeatures, can refer to the identities and values of characteristics andparameters such as nucleotides in a genomic sequence or a customer's zipcode, and it can refer to data items (attributes) and data item values(attribute values) contained in a dataset (set of data), database (e.g.,relational database) or database record.

Within this disclosure the term ‘pangenetic’ refers to genetic andepigenetic features. A genetic feature refers to any genome, genotype,haplotype, chromatin, chromosome, chromosome locus, chromosomalmaterial, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), allele, gene, gene cluster, genelocus, genetic polymorphism, genetic mutation, genetic mutation rate,nucleotide, nucleotide base pair, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP),restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), variable tandem repeat(VTR), microsatellite sequence, genetic marker, sequence marker,sequence tagged site (STS), plasmid, transcription unit, transcriptionproduct, gene expression level, genetic expression (i.e., transcription)state, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and copy DNA (cDNA), including thenucleotide sequence and encoded amino acid sequence associated with anyof the above. An epigenetic feature is any feature of genetic material -all genomic, vector and plasmid DNA and chromatin—that affects geneexpression in a manner that is heritable during somatic cell divisionsand sometimes heritable in germline transmission, but that isnonmutational to the DNA sequence and is therefore fundamentallyreversible, including but not limited to methylation of DNA nucleotidesand acetylation of chromatin-associated histone proteins. Within thisdisclosure the term ‘non-pangenetic’ refers to features other thangenetic and epigenetic features.

FIG. 1 illustrates a Unified Modeling Language (UML) use case diagramfor an embodiment of a pangenetic based profiling & selection system 100which allows a plurality of consumers—consumer 1 (101), consumer 2(102), consumer 3 (103) through consumer N (104)—to contributepangenetic data to the system through contribute pangenetic data usecase 110 which, in one embodiment, can be accomplished through transferof pangenetic data associated with the individuals from electronic filessuch as those stored in the form of an electronic EMR, EHR PHR, or aportable genetic profile stored in computer readable form. Dataindicating outcomes (e.g., subjective and objective measures of successand satisfaction) with respect to products, services and providers(including establishments) can be provided to the system throughcontribute outcome data for products, services and providers use case112, in which data indicating success and satisfaction experienced byconsumers 101-104 and success and satisfaction reported by provider 105,for example, can be contributed directly from those individuals orindirectly through records or profiles associated with thoseindividuals. In determine associations between pangenetic data andproduct, service and provider outcomes use case 114, associationsbetween subcombinations of the consumers' pangenetic data and outcomesexperienced with each of the products, services and providers arecomputed by the system using the contributed pangenetic data associatedwith the consumers as well as the contributed outcome data regardingthose products, services and providers. In request products, servicesand providers use case 116, consumer N 104 and provider 105 are able toindividually request selection of one or more products, services and/orproviders that will provide a desired outcome or outcome degree (i.e.,high level of success and satisfaction) for consumer N 104. In identifyproducts, services and providers that are a pangenetic match for theconsumer use case 118, the system compares the pangenetic dataassociated with consumer N 104 against the subcombinations of pangeneticdata that were previously determined through use case 114 to beassociated with particular products, services and providers and thedesired outcome, and identifies those that are an appropriate pangeneticmatch and outcome match for consumer N 104. In transmit products,services and providers use case 120, the identities of products,services and/or providers identified by the system as being appropriatefor the consumer are transmitted to consumer N 104 and/or provider 105to fulfill their request.

In one embodiment, use case 114 generates a dataset or databasecontaining subcombinations of pangenetic data correlated with outcomesfor particular products, services and/or providers by determiningstatistical associations (i.e., correlations) between subcombinations ofpangenetic data and those entities. Pattern discovery methodology isdesigned for identifying patterns in large amounts of data such asgenetic sequence data, and can therefore be used as part of the processof generating a database containing pangenetic based associations(correlations). With respect to the present invention, such patterndiscovery methodology can be used to determine patterns within anindividuals' pangenetic makeup that may be associated with successfuloutcome (e.g., a high level of success, a high level of satisfaction)with respect to particular products, services and providers. And, forexample, once a pangenetic pattern associated with successful outcomewith respect to one particular product is identified, that particularpangenetic pattern can be evaluated with respect to levels of successachieved by individuals having that particular pangenetic pattern thatused alternative products. The set of pangenetic feature combinations(i.e., pangenetic patterns comprising genetic and/or epigeneticvariations) corresponding to a particular product, service, provider orestablishment can be considered to be a pangenetic based profile (ormore simply ‘pangenetic profile’) of that product, service, provider orestablishment.

One approach to determining associations between combinations ofpangenetic data and outcomes experienced with products, services,providers and establishments is to first compute the average outcomeachieved for each product, service, provider or establishment withoutregard to the associated pangenetic data. Then subsets of individualsthat achieved higher or lower than average outcomes can be analyzed withrespect to their pangenetic features to identify pangenetic featurecombinations associated with those subsets of individuals. This enablesthe generation of pangenetic profiles which indicate pangenetic featurecombinations that are correlated with combinations of particular outcomeand particular product, service, provider or establishment. Products,services, providers and establishments can be then selected for anotherindividual by comparing their pangenetic features (contained in theirpersonal pangenetic profile) with the pangenetic patterns contained inthe pangenetic profiles associated with the products, services, provideror establishments. Such a comparison can involve determining thestrength of correlation between the pangenetic features of theindividual and the pangenetic feature combinations contained in thepangenetic profiles. When making the comparison, partial matches ofpangenetic data (e.g., a subset of pangenetic feature combinations) canbe recorded and the best partial matches can be used to make a selectionin instances when no complete or perfect match of pangenetic attributesis achieved. In one embodiment, determining the correlation between twosets of pangenetic data provides a correlation result that indicates thedegree of identity (i.e., degree of matching/correlation) between thetwo sets of pangenetic data in the form of a quantitative or qualitativevalue. If a selection comprising a plurality of products, services,providers or establishments is desired, each of the plurality can alsobe scored (e.g., ranked) and/or ordered based on the extent of matchingachieved between the individual's pangenetic data and the pangeneticfeature combinations associated with each product, service, provider, orestablishment. If certain pangenetic features are considered to havegreater importance, those features can be more highly weighted in thescoring and ordering of the products, services, providers orestablishments selected. The selected products, services, providers orestablishments can be considered to be a match (i.e., appropriate) forthe consumer if the result of the correlation between the individual'spangenetic data and the pangenetic feature combinations associated witheach product, service, provider, or establishment exceeds apredetermined threshold, for example. The predetermined threshold fordetermining a match can require 100% identity or equivalence between aset of pangenetic feature combinations contained in the pangeneticprofile of a product, service, provider or establishment and theindividual's pangenetic data in order for the correlation between thetwo to be considered a match (thus requiring a complete set of thepangenetic feature combinations to be contained within the pangeneticdata profile associated with the individual). Alternatively, thepredetermined threshold for determining a match can specify a lowerdegree (less than 100%) of identity or equivalence between a set ofpangenetic feature combinations contained in the pangenetic profile of aproduct, service, provider or establishment and the individual'spangenetic data in order for the resulting correlation between the twoto be considered a match. The predetermined threshold can comprise aquantitative value, qualitative value, conditional statement orconditional expression (e.g., if-then construct), and/or mathematicalstatement (e.g., equality statement, inequality statement) to indicatethe actual value and boundary characteristic of the threshold. Thepredetermined threshold can be predetermined by the method or system, orit can be predetermined by a user or administrator of the method orsystem.

In one embodiment of a computer based method for profiling a product,service, provider, or establishment, the system can access pangeneticdata and outcome data associated with a plurality of consumers thatreceived products or services, or interacted with service providers andestablishments (the service providers can be establishments). Theidentities of the consumers can be masked or anonymized for privacy orsecurity purposes. The service provider can be a healthcare provider, anon-healthcare provider, a medical provider, a non-medical provider, aclinical provider, and a non-clinical provider.

First, the pangenetic data and outcome data can be accessed in onedatabase or across multiple databases. Further, the pangenetic data andoutcome data may be contained in a single dataset (e.g., EHR, EMR or PHRcontaining pangenetic data) associated with each of the consumers, orthe data may be contained across multiple datasets for each of theconsumers. For example, the pangenetic data can be contained in datasetsthat are separate and distinct from the datasets containing the outcomedata. The pangenetic data can be, for example, SNPs, nucleotides, basepairs, nucleotide sequences, gene sequences, genomic sequences, genemutations, epigenetic modifications, epigenetic sequence patterns, andpangenetic based disorders, traits and conditions. Outcome data, whichcan be non-pangenetic data associated with the consumers, may includedata such as consumer survey feedback, medical test results, clinicaland non-clinical symptom gradings, success ratings, and satisfactionratings, chemical measurements, physical measurements, physiologicalmeasurements, and psychological measurements, for example, which can beused directly as measures of success, or can be used to derive othermeasures of success. Measures of success can take the form of varioustypes of scores (e.g., success levels) or values (e.g., symptomremediation percentages), as will be known to those of skill in the art,that provide at least some indication of the degree (level or magnitude)of success associated with an outcome. Measures of success can be basedon subjective outcome data, such as success as judged by a serviceprovider or satisfaction as rated by a customer, or they can be based onobjective outcome data such as physiological measurements taken using acalibrated medical device. Success levels, which can take the form ofstandardized values and serve as measures of success, can be derivedfrom other measures of success and may be represented asnumerical/quantitative success levels (e.g., values on a scale of 1-10)or categorical/qualitative success levels (e.g., poor, fair, good,excellent). Outcomes as referred to in this disclosure can represent andbe derived from various kinds of measures of success and have a range ofvalues, including different levels of success (i.e., success levels).The range of outcomes utilized in developing correlations for themethods disclosed herein can be limited to 1) positive (i.e.,successful) outcomes, 2) positive outcomes and neutral outcomes, or 3)positive outcomes, neutral outcomes and negative (i.e., unsuccessful)outcomes.

Next, based on the pangenetic data and outcome data the system candetermine correlations between combinations of pangenetic data (i.e.,pangenetic features) and outcomes experienced by the consumers withrespect to each of the products, services, and service providers, togenerate pangenetic based profiles of those products, services, andservice providers. The determination of these correlations can beachieved by first comparing the pangenetic data associated with each ofthe plurality of consumers to identify pangenetic data combinations(combinations of pangenetic features) shared by subgroups of theconsumers and then employing statistical measures known to those ofskill in the art to compute the values for statistical correlationsbetween the pangenetic data combinations and outcomes. Variousstatistical measures can be used to provide results which indicate thestrength of the correlations as well as the statistical significance(confidence) of the correlations. Examples of statistical measures thatprovide values indicating the strength of correlations includeprobability, likelihood (odds), likelihood ratio (odds ratio), absoluterisk and relative risk. Examples of statistical measures that providevalues indicating statistical significance of correlations includestandard deviation, standard error, confidence intervals, and p values.Values produced by statistical measures that provide an indication ofprobability of success/satisfaction can be also be used as outcomes, andprovide the advantage of inherently indicate the chance of successassociated with providing a particular product, service or provider foran individual with a particular pangenetic makeup.

As mentioned previously, there are algorithms known to those of skill inthe art for identifying large patterns of genetic and epigeneticfeatures shared between individuals, after which statistical measurescan be applied to determine the strength of correlation with outcomes.The determination of shared (i.e., matching) pangenetic featuresrequires determining the equivalence between features at the level ofindividual features and/or at the level of subcombinations of features.The determination of equivalence (i.e., a match, matching) betweenfeatures can be an inflexible process that requires features to beidentical, or it can be a flexible process that allows features to benon-identical if it is known that the difference between twonon-identical features, or two non-identical combinations of features,does not significantly affect an outcome such as a particular phenotype(e.g., trait, response) or success level. For example, pangenetic datacan be identified as being equivalent if the pangenetic data areepigenetic or genetic variations that are silent with respect to theireffect on outcome or phenotype (e.g., gene sequences which differ by oneor more silent nucleotide substitutions, mutations, or polymorphisms).Pangenetic data can also be identified as being equivalent if thepangenetic data are conservative genetic variations (e.g., conservativenucleotide substitutions, mutations, or polymorphisms occurring withinthe protein encoding ‘open reading frame’ of a gene sequence) that haveno effect on the outcome or phenotype of interest. Pangenetic data canalso be identified as being equivalent if the pangenetic data arenon-conservative genetic variations (e.g., non-conservative nucleotidesubstitutions, mutations, or polymorphisms) that have the same effect onthe outcome (e.g., phenotype) of interest. The above variations mayoccur within one or more gene coding regions or they may occur outsideof gene coding regions (e.g., in noncoding ‘junk DNA’ regions of thegenome).

Next, the system can transmit the pangenetic profiles containing thepangenetic data combinations correlated with outcomes experienced by theconsumers in association with unique identifiers of the correspondingproducts, services and providers to provide pangenetic based profilesfor those entities. The system can automatically chose, or be directed,to transmit the generated pangenetic profiles to at least onedestination—a user, a database, a dataset, a computer readable memory, acomputer readable medium, a computer processor, a computer network, aprintout device, a visual display, and a wireless receiver—for thepurpose of display, storage, or further processing and evaluation.

An embodiment of a computer database system for profiling a product,service or provider can comprise a memory having a first data structurecontaining pangenetic data and outcome data associated with a pluralityof consumers that received products or services, or interacted with aservice provider. The system can further comprise a processor for 1)generating, based on the pangenetic data and the outcome data, apangenetic profile containing pangenetic data correlated with outcomesexperienced by the consumers with respect the products, services orinteraction with the service provider, and 2) transmitting thepangenetic profile in association with an identifier of the services,products or providers to provide a pangenetic based profile of theservices, products or providers.

In a further embodiment, the method and system can utilize pangeneticprofiles to rank or score the products, services and providers whichcorrespond to those pangenetic profiles. This can be achieved, forexample, by ranking or scoring based solely on the values of the successlevel correlations contained in the pangenetic profiles, withoutcomparing the values of those correlations for different pangeneticprofiles to one another. Alternatively, a plurality of pangenetic basedprofiles associated with a plurality of products, services and providerscan be used to rank and score those products, services and providersbased on a relative comparison of the corresponding success levelcorrelations to one another with respect to a particular pangeneticfeature combination (for example a particular pangenetic featurecombination known to be associated with a particular health condition ofinterest such as cardiovascular disease). Based on the comparison, anormalized scoring and ranking system can be determined and used toassign scores and ranks to each of the products, services or providers.

In a further embodiment, the method and system can receive a request forrecommendation of a product, service or provider for a consumer. Thesystem can then access pangenetic data associated with the consumer anddetermine the correlation between that pangenetic data and thepangenetic data contained in the pangenetic profiles associated withrelevant products, services or providers. When the correlation exceeds apredetermined threshold which can be determined by the system ordesignated by the user, the system can transmit an indication (i.e.,output a notification) identifying the particular product, service orprovider achieving that correlation as being recommended for theconsumer. As discussed previously with respect to determiningcorrelations for the purpose of generating pangenetic profiles, thecomparison of pangenetic profiles to determine correlations can compriseidentifying pangenetic data associated with the consumer that isequivalent (a match) to pangenetic data contained in pangenetic profilesassociated with products, services or providers. Determining thecorrelation can further comprise identifying the amount and/or type ofpangenetic data that is equivalent, if the match is imperfect, in orderto further determine the degree of correlation (i.e., extent ofcorrelation).

In one embodiment, the selection or recommendation of services orproviders by the system can be used in the generation ofpre-authorizations, pre-certifications or pre-determinations issued byan insurer. As described by the American Medical Association (AMA) forexample, a pre-authorization is a preliminary authorization issued by aninsurer “to establish that the insurer's medical necessity guidelineshave been met for the proposed service”, the service being “in-officeand/or outpatient diagnostic tests and surgical procedures”. Currently,a service code (e.g., Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes) forthe proposed service and a primary diagnosis code (e.g., InternationalClassification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification(ICD-9-CM) code) must be submitted to the insurer along with identifyinginformation of both the patient (e.g., patient's name, ID and plan/groupname or number) and the healthcare provider (i.e., provider tax ID,provider Personal Identification Number (PIN)), a brief history of thecurrent illness, and the date, type and place of the proposed service.As described by the AMA, a pre-certification is a preliminarycertification to “verify that the service meets the health insurer'smedical necessity criteria”, the service being a “hospital admissionand/or surgical procedure”. The additional information described abovefor a pre-authorization is also required for a pre-certification. Asdescribed by the AMA, a pre-determination is a preliminary“determination of a patient's coverage for a specific service orprocedure”, and “pre-determinations are the only payment guarantee thata physician practice might receive from a health insurer” further“subject to the member's benefits and eligibility at the time ofservice, as well as subject to whether the member has exceeded thehealth insurer's maximum benefits”. In addition to the informationrequired above for a pre-authorization, a pre-determination furtherrequires the submission of the estimated cost of the proposed service,the “length of time the patient has been under the physician's care”,and a “detailed history of the patient's present illness, includingsubjective and objective findings, previous treatment, exam finding andoutcome (if applicable), and medical necessity”. In one embodiment, therecommendation of a service provider for a consumer can be used by thepangenetic based system or another system to generate an approval forrendering payment to the service provider. In addition to being used togenerate a payment approval, the indicated recommendation can also beused to generate a payment approval request, or to generate a financialtransaction or insurance claim, for example.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of pangenetic profiles for pangeneticbased selection of services for treating consumers with hypertension(high blood pressure). Three different services are included in thetable of FIG. 2. as ‘provide treatment’ service options. The first threerecords (i.e., rows) constitute a pangenetic based profile of a ‘provideexercise therapy’ service option. The middle three records constitute apangenetic based profile of a ‘provide dietary counseling’ serviceoption. The last three records constitute a pangenetic based profile ofa ‘provide drug E’ service option. The pangenetic based profiles includeconsumer pangenetic feature combinations correlated with outcomes in theform of two types of measures of success, namely percent success (%success) and success level. In this example, percent success is ameasure of success which indicates the percentage of consumers(patients) with the indicated pangenetic feature combination thatreceived the service and then experienced remediation of theirhypertension symptoms. For example, the table indicates that providingexercise therapy to a consumer possessing pangenetic combination{Rs4961=(T;T); Rs5186=(C;C); Rs3865418=(T;C)} will have a 47% chance ofsuccess of eliminating their hypertension condition/symptoms. It shouldbe noted that non-pangenetic data, such as recommended age range for theservices or adverse interactions, can be included in the dataset tofilter out potential services that are not compatible or appropriate fornon-pangenetic features associated with a consumer. For example, Drug Emay not be appropriate for use in the very elderly or in those takingcertain medications that interact adversely with Drug E.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, many different measuresof success can potentially be derived including success ratings computedby combining a plurality of numerical (i.e., quantitative) orcategorical (i.e., qualitative) values for a plurality of factors. Forexample, a panel of various clinical test results and/or a set ofsymptom evaluations (gradings) associated with a health condition beforeand after providing a service can be used to derive a combinedcomputational measure or an overall verdict indicating success orfailure, or even the degree of success or failure, of the providedservice in treating the health condition. Further, the determination ofsuccess may be based on evaluations provided by the customer, provideror establishment, or a combination thereof. Where evaluations of thesuccess of a service or provider are obtained from multiple sources(e.g., from customer, provider and/or a third party), the results of theevaluations can be indicated separately in the dataset, or they can beused to derive a single value for outcome by averaging or weightedaveraging of the evaluations, for example. Success level is a measure ofsuccess that can take the form of standardized score, for example on ascale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best). With respect to FIG. 2, successlevel is derived from percent success data by rounding percent successvalues to the nearest whole multiple of ten, and then dividing by ten.As such, the pangenetic combination in the first record of the table iscorrelated with a success level of 5, which in this case is a mediumsuccess level, for successful treatment of hypertension by providingexercise therapy. In one embodiment, success level can directly indicatehow appropriate (how good of a match) a service or provider is for aconsumer having the corresponding pangenetic feature combination.

As disclosed elsewhere in this application, the outcome data used toderive outcomes such as success levels can include considerably morevaried and complicated measures of success than percentage satisfactionor percent success. Even a satisfaction rating can be derived from acomplex computation which combines a plurality of ratings for factorssuch as product cost, ease of product usage, number of side effects,severity of side effects, number of symptoms resolved and speed ofsymptom resolution, each of which can contribute to the resultcalculated for a combined computational measure or overall verdictregarding satisfaction or dissatisfaction, or even the degree ofsatisfaction or dissatisfaction with the product. While the types ofoutcome data presented in the above example are limited to percentsuccess and success level, other types of outcome data can be collected,computed and used to indicate outcomes experienced with products,services, providers and establishments, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

FIGS. 3A-C illustrate pangenetic based rank-ordered tabulations(listings) of services for consumers that can be generated fortransmission as output by one or more embodiments of the methods andsystems disclosed herein. In general, ranks can be assigned to simplifythe selection of one or more services or providers from a plurality ofservices or providers correlated with a particular pangeneticcombination. Tabulations such as rank listings can then be created withservices or products presented in order of rank (i.e., rank-ordered).Rank can derived directly from outcomes or measures of success such assuccess levels. In the current example presented in FIG. 3A with respectto a consumer having pangenetic SNP combination {Rs4961=(T;T);Rs5186=(C;C); Rs3865418=(T;C)}, providing drug E ranks as the firstchoice (i.e., best choice), providing exercise therapy ranks as thesecond choice, and providing dietary counseling ranks as the thirdchoice. Similarly, tabulations for consumers having two other pangeneticfeature combinations along with corresponding measures of success areillustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3C. A tabulation of services for a consumerpossessing one of the indicated pangenetic combinations can betransmitted with the services ordered according to rank. While thetabulations illustrated in FIGS. 3A-C contain a wide variety ofinformation, such tabulations can contain only a portion of theinformation shown, and can also contain other types of pangenetic andnon-pangenetic information that are not described or shown in theseexamples. In these three tabulations, ranks were assigned based onsuccess level, however they also correspond to the relative values ofpercent success because percent success was the only outcome data usedfor computing success levels in this example. However, if the examplehad relied on two different measures of success to compute successlevels, for example percent satisfaction (e.g., feedback from consumers)in addition to percent success of treatment (e.g., evaluations fromproviders), success levels computed by averaging the two types of datamay have indicated a different rank order of the services than whatwould be indicated based on either percent satisfaction or percentsuccess alone. Other data such as pricing or recommended age range canbe included in the determination of rank so that services that are moreappropriate (a better match) for an individual's non-pangeneticcharacteristics/preferences are assigned a higher rank or lower rankthan that determined based on pangenetic correlations alone.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of an example of pangenetic profilesfor pangenetic based selection of healthcare providers for treatingdiabetes and hypertension. The data are organized into pangeneticcombination records associated with different services administered bythe providers. While it is not essential to include the services inpangenetic profiles of providers, this example demonstrates how bothdata can be integrated within the same pangenetic profiles. Theproviders are identified by their provider IDs, which in this case aretheir actual names but could be, for example, numeric codes keyed (i.e.,linked) to their actual identities contained in a separate dataset ordatabase. Pangenetic feature combinations, listed in the form of SNPcombinations, are shown along with corresponding outcomes. Thecorresponding outcomes that are indicated include percent success,percent satisfied and overall scores for each of theprovider/service/disorder/patient SNP combination records. While thetypes of outcome data presented in the above example and the followingexample are limited to percent success, percent satisfied and score,other types of outcome data can be collected, computed and used toindicate outcomes experienced with products, services, providers andestablishments, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In thepresent example, the individual scores for each provider/SNPscombination were computed by adding the value for percent success to thevalue for percent satisfied for a particular provider/SNPs combinationand then dividing by two to obtain an average value. However, as will beapparent to those skilled in the art, values for scores can be based ona scale of 1 to 10, or they can be normalized to other score values inthe dataset, for example. The score values can also be based onadditional parameters such as undesirable product or serviceinteractions in circumstances where product and services are relevant toprovider selection (or product, service or establishment selection).Score values can also be designed to represent outcome ranking of aparticular provider/pangenetic combination with respect to allprovider/pangenetic combinations, or with respect to only thoseprovider/pangenetic feature combinations having the same pangeneticfeatures in common, or with respect to only those provider/pangeneticcombinations having the same provider in common (and this conceptgenerally applies to the selection of products, services andestablishments as well). Additionally, zip codes for the providers areindicated and can be used to either filter out a provider from being apotential selection for an individual, or alternatively, can be used tofilter out a provider that was initially selected for an individualbased on pangenetic data alone but is deemed undesirable because theyhave an office location which will be inconvenient for the patient. Theparticular services provided, as indicated in the each of the records,can also be used for filtering, for example to restrict selection toproviders which tend to either favor or avoid the use of particulartreatments. Similarly, other data associated with the providers such asaverage service charge and insurance plan participation informationcould be included in the attribute profiles to further filter potentialselections.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of an example of pangenetic profilesfor pangenetic based selection of healthcare establishments for thetreatment of diabetes and hypertension. To demonstrate how pangeneticbased profiles for establishments can be essentially the same as forindividual providers, the only difference of this table from that ofFIG. 3 is the substitution of provider IDs with establishment IDs. A setof pangenetic profiles containing both individual provider IDs andprovider establishment IDs can also be created where both types ofinformation are contained within the same records, for example. Theestablishments are identified by establishment IDs, which in this caseare their actual names but could be, for example, numeric codes keyed(i.e., linked) to their actual identities contained in a separatedataset or database. Groups of patients having each disorder areindicated and are divided into subgroups based on patients' pangeneticfeatures, listed in the form of SNP combinations for this example, thatwere determined to be associated with a particular outcome (e.g., higheror lower than average outcome) experienced with respect to the indicatedhealthcare establishments. The indicated outcome data include percentsuccess, percent satisfied and overall scores for each of theestablishment/disorder/patient SNP combination subgroups, with scorescomputed as in the previous example with respect to FIG. 4.Additionally, zip codes for the healthcare establishments are indicatedand can be used to either filter out a particular establishment frombeing a potential selection for an individual, or alternatively, can beused to filter out an establishment that was initially selected for anindividual based on pangenetic data alone but is deemed undesirablebecause it's location will be inconvenient for the patient or patient'sfamily to access. The identities of the treatments received by eachsubgroup are indicated and can also be used for filtering, for exampleto restrict selection to providers which tend to either favor or avoidthe use of particular treatments. Similarly, other data associated withthe healthcare establishments such as average service prices andinsurance plan participation information can be included to furtherfilter potential selections.

Of many possible embodiment of a system for selecting products,services, providers and establishments, the two embodiments that followdiffer from each other primarily with respect to intended user types.One system embodiment is designed for the individual (i.e., consumer orpatient) as the user and can be implemented on a Personal Computer (PC)or wireless computing device connected to the internet, through whichcommunication with the system's applications and databases is madepossible, for example via the world wide web. A second system embodimentis designed for a provider as the user. For example, in the healthcarefield a medical provider or an administrator at a medical establishmentcan be the user and can interact with the system through a PC orworkstation computer located in an office, clinic or hospital, orthrough a wireless computing device. The PC, workstation, or wirelesscomputing device can be connected to a WAN or the internet, throughwhich communication with the system's applications and databases isenabled.

With regard to the first system embodiment, ratings of success orfailure of particular products and services, as well as ratings ofsatisfaction or dissatisfaction with particular service providers andestablishments, can be provided through voluntary feedback by theconsumer, preferably entered as input into the system by the consumer.With regard to the second system embodiment, such rating information canbe provided by medical professionals through, for example, results ofphase III clinical trials with respect to new therapies, drugs anddevices. With respect to established therapies, drugs and devices, suchinformation can be provided by medical professionals through medicalexaminations and records generated during the course of therapy,doctor-patient interviews, patient follow up studies, and patientsurveys. Alternatively, customer ratings of treatment success andsatisfaction with service providers and establishments can also becollected and entered into the system by one or more third parties.

FIG. 6 illustrates a UML use case diagram depicting a first systemembodiment in which a pangenetic based selection system 600 allows aconsumer N 104 to request selection of products, services, serviceproviders and establishments. In receive request for selection ofproducts, services, providers or establishments and receiveauthorization to access consumer's pangenetic data use case 610, usingthe PC 602 the consumer N 104 inputs a query request and anauthorization to enable the pangenetic based selection system 600 toaccess their pangenetic data. The request can also include parameterssuch as zip code and age that can be used to filter potentialselections. The pangenetic based selection system 600 transmits arequest for pangenetic data and authorization to the database serverwhere the pangenetic data of the consumer N 104 is stored, for exampleto PHR server 604, EHR server 606 or Pangenetic EMR server 608, andeither receives a copy of the pangenetic data from the database serveror is granted access to read the pangenetic data directly on thedatabase server which contains the pangenetic data. In compareconsumer's pangenetic data against pangenetic data associated withproducts, services, providers and establishments use case 616, thepangenetic data of consumer N 104 is compared against one or moredatasets stored in one or more databases of the pangenetic basedselection system 600 which contain combinations of pangenetic dataassociated with the products, services, providers or establishments thatare relevant to the request by consumer N 104 and are thereforepotential candidates for selection. In select products, services,providers and establishments use case 618, the best matches obtained bythe comparison (e.g., the largest number of pangenetic features incommon between consumer N 104 and combinations of pangenetic featuresassociated with relevant products, services, providers orestablishments) can be selected, or can be further subjected tofiltering according to specified parameters to obtain a final selection.Once one or more products, services, providers or establishments areselected to fulfill the query request, in transmit selection use case620 the identifiers of the one or more selections can be transmitted tothe PC 602 for storage, printout and/or display, or for furthertransmission to other individuals, establishments or devices as dictatedby consumer N 104.

FIG. 7 illustrates a UML use case diagram depicting a second systemembodiment in which a pangenetic based selection system 700 allows theprovider 105 to request selection of products, services, serviceproviders and establishments for a consumer. In receive request forselection of products, services, providers or establishments and receiveauthorization to access consumer's pangenetic data use case 710, usingworkstation 702 the provider 105 inputs a query request and anauthorization to enable the pangenetic based selection system 700 toaccess the consumer's pangenetic data. The request can also includeparameters such as zip code and age that can be used to filter potentialselections. The pangenetic based selection system 700 transmits arequest for pangenetic data and authorization to the database serverwhere the pangenetic data of the consumer is stored, for example to EHRserver 704 or Pangenetic EMR server 706, and either receives a copy ofthe pangenetic data from the database server or is granted access toread the pangenetic data directly on the database server which containsthe pangenetic data. In compare consumer's pangenetic data againstpangenetic data associated with products, services, providers andestablishments use case 716, the pangenetic data of the consumer iscompared against one or more datasets stored in one or more databases ofthe pangenetic based selection system 700 which contain combinations ofpangenetic data associated with the products, services, providers orestablishments that are relevant to the request by the provider 105 andare therefore potential candidates for selection. In select products,services, providers and establishments use case 718, the best matchesobtained by the comparison (e.g., the largest number of pangeneticfeatures in common between the consumer and combinations of pangeneticfeatures associated with relevant products, services, providers orestablishments) can be selected, or can be further subjected tofiltering according to specified parameters to obtain a final selection.Once one or more products, services, providers or establishments areselected to fulfill the query request, in transmit selection use case720 the identifiers of the one or more selections can be transmitted toworkstation 702 for storage, printout and/or display, or for furthertransmission to other individuals, establishments or devices as dictatedby the provider 105.

The transmitted selections of products, services, providers andestablishments can be used directly by the consumer or provider topurchase, prescribe, recommend or sell a product or service, or schedulean appointment, for example. The selections can also be used toreference the associated combination of pangenetic features of theconsumer that resulted in the selection, and both the selection and theassociated combination of pangenetic features can be subsequentlytransmitted to another party or another system for further processingand evaluation. For example, the pangenetic features of a patient thatmatched pangenetic data associated with a particular medication, medicaldevice, or medical service selected by the system for that patient canbe transmitted by their physician to an insurance company to requestapproval for payment for that medication, medical device, or medicalservice. The information can also be transmitted for the purpose ofother financial transactions such as billing and pricing for example.

FIG. 8 illustrates a UML use case diagram depicting a system embodimentin which pangenetic based selection system 800 allows User 802 via PC804 to enter a request for recommended service providers for a consumerbased on pangenetic and non-pangenetic information. This embodimentallows for pangenetic based selection system 800 to reside in any numberof locations including PHR server 804, EHR server 806, or pangenetic EMRserver 808, and any of the preceding can be hosted and operated by aninsurer or other party. In receive request for recommended providersselected based on non-pangenetic and pangenetic data use case 810, thesystem receives the user's query including user specified non-pangeneticfeatures such as zip code and gender of the preferred service provider.In request access to consumer's pangenetic data use case 812, the systemeither prompts the user to supply an authorization to access aconsumer's pangenetic data profile which is then passed to therespective server which contains the pangenetic information, for examplePHR server 804, EHR server 806, or pangenetic EMR server 808, oralternatively the system passes on a stored pre-authorization, in eithercase to receive access to the consumer's pangenetic data. In oneembodiment, the system and pangenetic server are hosted together orintegrated such that no request for access to the consumer's pangeneticdata is required, only an initial logon preceding the request use case810 in which the user is authenticated and access by the system topangenetic data of one or more consumers automatically granted uponauthentication of the user by the system. In receive consumer'spangenetic data use case 814, the system receives access to at least aportion of the consumer's pangenetic data, either by accessing andreading a database or file containing the pangenetic data, oralternatively, by receiving a file, packet of data, or data maskcontaining the relevant pangenetic data necessary to enable therecommendation of a service provider for the consumer. In rank candidateproviders based on non-pangenetic data and consumer's pangenetic datause case 816, a list of potential providers for the consumer arefiltered and ranked based on non-pangenetic features and pangeneticfeatures. In this example, non-pangenetic features such as zip code andgender are used to filter and rank a list of providers in an attempt tosatisfy the preferences of the user or consumer for the preferredcharacteristics of the provider. Other non-pangenetic features forpotentially filtering service providers can be insurer networks, fieldof specialty, years in business/practice (i.e., experience), number ofmalpractice/law suits, work schedule and availability, and relativeprice bracket, for example. When one or more providers meet thepreferred provider features specified by the user, providers which donot those preferences may be filtered out completely or may be includedon a list of providers in which they receive a lower rank that theproviders which better met the preferred features. The providers arealso filtered based on pangenetic features by comparing their providerpangenetic profiles, which contain pangenetic data (combinations ofpangenetic features, pangenetic data patterns) associated with outcomemeasures, against pangenetic data associated with the consumer. While inother embodiments the selection of recommended providers can beperformed with only a pangenetic data comparison, or only non-pangeneticdata comparison, when utilizing both types of evaluations it is possiblefor the comparison of pangenetic data to be performed before, after, orsimultaneously with the non-pangenetic data comparison to achievepotentially different selection results. In transmit recommendedproviders as a rank listing use case 818, the providers selected as aresult of pangenetic and non-pangenetic filtering and comparison aretransmitted as a list (i.e., tabulation) of potential providers for theconsumer in which the providers are ordered or numbered based on asimple numerical rank or scored based on the extent (i.e., degree,percentage) of non-pangenetic and/or pangenetic data matching betweenthe consumer and each of the providers. The scoring can be a normalizedscore, a simple rank, or an actual percentage indicating the degree ofidentity (i.e., match) between compared features, for example. If thefiltering and comparison are non-stringent so that non-optimal providersare included in the list, the included ranking can enable the user tothen select the most appropriate providers. A final selection by theuser can be aided by making features of the included providers a visibleor accessible (e.g., hyperlink accessible) part of the list, in additionto the scoring, ranking or rank ordering the providers. Alternatively,the filtering and comparison can be made sufficiently stringent or athreshold for rank imposed such that only the most appropriate providersare transmitted in the recommendation. For example, only one provider(i.e., the most appropriate/suitable provider, the highest rankingprovider) or a small subset of providers (e.g., the top five optimalproviders by rank) may be transmitted. The preference of how manyproviders should be returned by the system in response to the user'squery can be specified by the user or the system and can be based oncriteria such as the total number of providers that are initiallyidentified as suitable matches for the consumer, or alternatively, thedisparity or spread between respective scores or degree of matching ofthe providers. If only the highest scoring/ranking provider is selectedby the system for transmission as output, then the list that istransmitted would contain only that single provider. While FIG. 8describes the recommendation/selection of one or more service providers,it is also applicable to the recommendation/selection of products,services, and establishments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a UML activity diagram for one embodiment of serviceprovider selection. In the particular embodiment of ‘select provider’represented in this figure, the insurer hosts the portion of thepangenetic based selection system which performs comparisons between thepangenetic data of the consumer and candidate providers. In enteruser_ID & password step 902, a user such as a patient (i.e., consumer),healthcare professional, or insurer representative gains secure accessto the system by logging on to the system with their secure personallogin identifiers. This login information can alternatively be in theform of other secure login procedures such as retinal or fingerprintscan, or a personal identification card that is based on magnetic orradio frequency identification (RFID) technology. In authorize user step904, the user logon information is verified and access is granted if thesecurity information passes verification. In enter query for providerselection step 906, the user enters a request for selection of one ormore providers. In request preferred provider features step 908, thesystem queries the user for desired features of the provider,particularly non-pangenetic features. In enter preferred providerfeatures step 910, the user can enter preferences for location, pricebracket, specialty and gender of providers, for example. In a furtherembodiment, these preferences may be specified by the user to beinflexible requirements for selection of a provider, so that a providermust match these specified preferences in order to be a candidate forfurther pangenetic based selection. Alternatively, these preferences canbe treated as flexible so that in circumstances when only a small number(or none) of the providers in the system database match all of theuser's preferences, then providers that meet (or approximately meet)some of the preferences are also included to provide at least someviable choices for the user to select from. In identify providers basedon preferred provider features step 912, the system identifies (i.e.,flags, stores or tabulates) candidate providers for the customer basedon the user specified set of preferred provider features. As an examplein the healthcare field, a user request for a female generalpractitioner located within a particular zip code invokes the system toidentify candidate providers for the consumer that match the desiredgender, subspecialty and location. The preference for specialty may bean inflexible requirement. However, flexibility can be incorporated withrespect to the other preferred features. For example, if a request for afemale general practitioner located in a specific zip code would returna null result, then the system may identify candidate providerscomprising 1) male general practitioners located within the desired zipcode, and 2) female general practitioners located within reasonablyclose proximity to the desired zip code. This example exemplifies howflexibility can be incorporated with respect to multiple desiredfeatures as when no providers meet all the preferred features or when aprovider matches some of the features (e.g., specialty) but not others(e.g., gender and location). This step of identifying providers caninclude, for example, scoring, ranking or ordering the providers basedon the preferred features (i.e., based on the extent to which thepreferred features are possessed by each candidate provider). In afurther embodiment, the user or system can be allowed to decide whichpreferred features are inflexible, which are flexible (and to whatextent they are flexible, such as the maximum allowable distance of aprovider from a desired zip code location), and which have priority inscoring, ranking and/or ordering of the results. It should be noted thatthe above step of identifying providers based on user specifiedpreferred features precedes the following steps of pangenetic basedcomparison and selection, and can therefore serve as a preselection stepif used to filter out providers from further consideration by the stepsthat follow. However, this step can also be relocated in the activitydiagram sequence to follow the pangenetic based comparison and selectionsteps if, for example, the user, customer, providers, insurer or systemdeem pangenetic based selection to be the more important determinant forselection of the best provider for the customer.

In request consumer pangenetic data access authorization step 914, theuser is queried by the insurer's system to identify the consumer forwhom the selection is intended as well as to provideauthorization/permission to access that consumer's pangeneticinformation. In enter consumer pangenetic data access authorization step916, the user responds to the system's request for access to consumerpangenetic data by inputting an identifier of the consumer, access code,and/or user_ID and password security information associated with theuser or consumer in order to allow the system to access at least aportion of the pangenetic data associated with the particular consumerfor whom a provider is being selected. In relay consumer pangenetic dataaccess authorization step 918, the system receives the identifierinformation and/or access authorization needed to access the pangeneticdata of the consumer and passes at least a portion of that informationalong with a request for access to the relevant pangenetic data of theconsumer to a pangenetic server (e.g., an EMR, EHR or PHR databaseserver) where that pangenetic data is stored. In authorize pangeneticdata access step 920, the pangenetic server verifies the validity of theaccess request. This verification can include authenticating the insurerdatabase server submitting the request to ensure the request is comingfrom a valid or pre-authorized entity. In provide consumer pangeneticdata step 922, the pangenetic based selection system hosted by theinsurer can either be granted access to read one or more pangenetic datafiles associated with the consumer (e.g., a genetic profile of theconsumer), or alternatively, all or a portion of the pangenetic datafiles associated with the consumer can be transmitted to the pangeneticbased selection system on the insurer's server. In compare consumer andprovider pangenetic data step 924, the pangenetic based selection systemcompares provider associated pangenetic data contained in a database ofthe system (the provider associated pangenetic data having beenpreviously correlated with one or more measures of success) with theconsumer associated pangenetic data that was provided by the pangeneticserver. The comparison is designed to determine matches betweenpangenetic features contained in the two sets of pangenetic data.Matching pangenetic features can be defined as pangenetic features thatare identical between the two sets of data, or they can be definednon-stringently as pangenetic features that are equivalent between thetwo sets of data. As disclosed previously, pangenetic features that arenot identical can be considered equivalent if they have the same oressentially the same effect on relevant outcomes, responses orphenotypes. In filter & rank-list providers based on pangenetic datastep 926, the system filters and ranks candidate providers based on theresults of the pangenetic comparison and can transmit the providers as alist or tabulation. With respect to filtering the providers, if theconsumer's pangenetic features are a poor match to those associated witha particular provider, then that provider can be eliminated (i.e.,filtered out) during this step. Providers which match a considerableportion of pangenetic features of the consumer can be evaluated withrespect to the degree of similarity (i.e., percent identity of the setof features) shared with the consumer and then scored, ranked and/orordered relative to each other, for example. Matching between certainpangenetic features can be given greater weight for the purpose ofscoring, ranking and/or ordering, for example in circumstances wherecertain pangenetic features are known to have greater influence on thecustomer's condition or needs, or the desired outcome. The list canindicate categories or types of pangenetic features that matched and towhat degree, and can also indicate the values of non-pangenetic featuresfor providers in the list and the extent of matching with the consumer'spreferences with respect to those features. In one embodiment, the usercan be provided with options to adjust parameters such as weighting andpriority of features to influence the values for scores and ranks of theindividual providers or the order of the providers as listed in thetabulation. In select provider from rank listing step 928, the userselects one or more of the providers presented to them by the systembased simply on rank or score, or based on a further evaluation of thetype and extent of pangenetic and non-pangenetic features which matchedbetween the consumer and each of the providers. In link to providerappointment page step 930, the provider selected by the user is used todirect the user to a scheduling page on a webpage hosted by the provideror another party on behalf of that provider. In open providerappointment schedule step 932, the provider website opens the schedulingpage so that available appointment dates and times are displayed orotherwise presented to the user. Alternatively, the page may requestcontact information that will be used by the provider to contact theuser or customer in response to a request to schedule an appointmentwith the provider. In select appointment step 934, the user selects anappointment, if a suitable appointment is available, or otherwise sendsa request to the provider indicating that an appointment or consultationis desired. In record appointment step 936, the appointment or requestfor an appointment entered by the user is recorded on the provider'sserver or on the server of the party acting on behalf of the provider.In logoff step 938, the user logs out to end the session and terminatessecure access to the system. This logoff step can be automated based onclosing the application or moving out of range of an optical sensor orRFID sensor which detects the presence of the authorized user to ensurethat an unauthorized user does not inadvertently gain access theconsumer's pangenetic data or pangenetic based results, thereby ensuringthat strict doctor-patient privacy can be maintained in a healthcaresetting, or ensuring in a public setting that others do not gain accessto an individual's pangenetic data through an easily captured mobiledevice for example.

FIG. 10 illustrates a UML activity diagram for another embodiment ofservice provider selection. In the particular embodiment of ‘selectprovider’ represented in this diagram, the pangenetic server hosts theportion of the pangenetic based selection system which performscomparisons between the pangenetic data of the consumer and candidateproviders. In enter user_ID & password step 1002, a user such as apatient (i.e., consumer), healthcare professional, or insurerrepresentative gains secure access to the system by logging on to thesystem with their secure personal login identifiers. This logininformation can alternatively be in the form of other secure loginprocedures such as retinal or fingerprint scan, or a personalidentification card that is based on magnetic or RFID technology. Inauthorize user step 1004, the user logon information is verified andaccess is granted if the security information passes verification. Inenter query for provider selection step 1006, the user enters a requestfor selection of one or more providers. In request preferred providerfeatures step 1008, the system queries the user for desired features ofthe provider, particularly non-pangenetic features. For example, inenter preferred provider feature step 1010, the user can enterpreferences for location, price bracket, specialty and gender ofproviders, for example. In a further embodiment, these preferences maybe specified by the user to be inflexible requirements for selection ofa provider, so that a provider must match these specified preferences inorder to be a candidate for further pangenetic based selection.Alternatively, these preferences can be treated as flexible so that incircumstances when only a small number (or none) of the providers in thesystem database match all of the user's preferences, then providers thatmeet (or approximately meet) some of the preferences are also includedto provide at least some viable choices for the user to select from. Inidentify providers based on preferred provider features step 1012, thesystem identifies (i.e., flags, stores or tabulates) candidate providersfor the customer based on the user specified set of preferred providerfeatures. As an example in the healthcare field, a user request for afemale general practitioner located within a particular zip code invokesthe system to identify candidate providers for the consumer that matchthe desired gender, subspecialty and location. The preference forspecialty may be an inflexible requirement. However, flexibility can beincorporated with respect to the other preferred features. For example,if a request for a female general practitioner located in a specific zipcode would return a null result, then the system may identify candidateproviders comprising 1) male general practitioners located within thedesired zip code, and 2) female general practitioners located withinreasonably close proximity to the desired zip code. This exampleexemplifies how flexibility can be incorporated with respect to multipledesired features as when no providers meet all the preferred features orwhen a provider matches some of the features (e.g., specialty) but notothers (e.g., gender and location). This step of identifying providerscan include, for example, scoring, ranking or ordering the providersbased on the preferred features (i.e., based on the extent to which thepreferred features are possessed by each candidate provider). In afurther embodiment, the user or system can be allowed to decide whichpreferred features are inflexible, which are flexible (and to whatextent they are flexible, such as the maximum allowable distance of aprovider from a desired zip code location), and which have priority inscoring, ranking and/or ordering of the results. It should be noted thatthe above step of identifying providers based on user specifiedpreferred features precedes the following steps of pangenetic basedcomparison and selection, and can therefore serve as a preselection stepif used to filter out providers from further consideration by the stepsthat follow. However, this step can also be relocated in the activitydiagram sequence to follow the pangenetic based comparison and selectionsteps if, for example, the user, customer, providers, insurer or systemdeem pangenetic based selection to be the more important determinant forselection of the best provider for the customer.

In request consumer pangenetic data access authorization step 1014, theuser is queried by the insurer's system to identify the consumer forwhom the selection is intended as well as to provideauthorization/permission to access that consumer's pangeneticinformation. In enter consumer pangenetic data access authorization step1016, the user responds to the system's request for access to consumerpangenetic data by inputting an identifier of the consumer, access codeand/or user_ID and password security information associated with theuser or consumer in order to allow the system to access at least aportion of the pangenetic data associated with the particular consumerfor whom a provider is being selected. In relay consumer pangenetic dataaccess authorization step 1018, the insurer's system receives theidentifier information and/or access authorization needed to access thepangenetic data of the consumer and passes at least a portion of thatinformation along with a request for access to the relevant pangeneticdata of the consumer to a pangenetic server (e.g., an EMR, EHR or PHRdatabase server) where that pangenetic data is stored. In authorizepangenetic data access step 1020, the pangenetic server verifies thevalidity of the access request. This verification can includeauthenticating the insurer database server submitting the request toensure the request is coming from a valid or pre-authorized entity. Intransmit provider pangenetic data step 1022, the insurer system sendsthe pangenetic data associated with one or more providers to thepangenetic server (the provider associated pangenetic data having beenpreviously correlated with one or more measures of success). In compareconsumer and provider pangenetic data step 1024, the pangenetic basedselection system compares the provider associated pangenetic data withthe consumer associated pangenetic data contained on the pangeneticserver. The comparison is designed to determine matches between featurescontained in the two sets of pangenetic data. Matching features can bedefined as features that are identical between the two sets of data, orthey can be defined somewhat more non-stringently as features that areequivalent between the two sets of data. Features that are equivalentcan be those that are not identical, but have the same or essentiallythe same impact on an outcome, response or phenotype. In filter &rank-list providers based on pangenetic data step 1026, the systemfilters and ranks candidate providers based on the results of thepangenetic comparison and can transmit the providers as a list ortabulation. With respect to filtering the providers, if the consumer'spangenetic features are a poor match to those associated with aparticular provider, then that provider can be eliminated (i.e.,filtered out) during this step. Providers which match a considerableportion of pangenetic features of the consumer can be evaluated withrespect to the degree of similarity (i.e., percent identity of the setof features) shared with the consumer and then scored, ranked and/orordered relative to each other, for example. Matching between certainpangenetic features can be given greater weight for the purpose ofscoring, ranking and/or ordering, for example in circumstances wherecertain pangenetic features are known to have greater influence on thecustomer's condition or needs, or the desired outcome. The list canindicate categories or types of pangenetic features that matched and towhat degree, and can also indicate the values of non-pangenetic featuresfor providers in the list and the extent of matching with the consumer'spreferences with respect to those features. In one embodiment, the usercan be provided with options to adjust parameters such as weighting andpriority of features to influence the values for scores and ranks of theindividual providers or the order of the providers as listed in thetabulation. In select provider from rank listing step 1028, the userselects one or more of the providers presented to them by the systembased simply on rank or score, or based on a further evaluation of thetype and extent of pangenetic and non-pangenetic features which matchedbetween the consumer and each of the providers. While not shown in theembodiment represented in this activity diagram, a step linking the userto a provider scheduling/appointment page or a step requesting finalapproval of the user's selection can be included. In logoff step 1030,the user logs out to end the session and terminates secure access to thesystem. This logoff step can be automated based on closing theapplication or moving out of range of an optical sensor or RFID sensorwhich detects the presence of the authorized user to ensure that anunauthorized user does not inadvertently gain access the consumer'spangenetic data or pangenetic based results, thereby ensuring thatstrict doctor-patient privacy can be maintained in a healthcare setting,or ensuring in a public setting that others do not gain access to anindividual's pangenetic data through an easily captured mobile devicefor example.

FIG. 11 illustrates a UML activity diagram for another embodiment ofservice provider selection. In the particular embodiment of ‘selectprovider’ represented in this figure, the pangenetic server (e.g., anEMR, EHR or PHR database server) hosts the portion of the pangeneticbased selection system which performs comparisons between the pangeneticdata of the consumer and candidate providers. In enter user_ID &password step 1102, a user such as a patient (i.e., consumer),healthcare professional, or insurer representative gains secure accessto the system by logging on to the system with their secure personallogin identifiers. This login information can alternatively be in theform of other secure login procedures such as retinal or fingerprintscan, or a personal identification card that is based on magnetic orRFID technology. In authorize user step 1104, the user logon informationis verified and access is granted if the security information passesverification. In enter query for provider selection step 1106, the userenters a request for selection of one or more providers. In logon toinsurer account step 1108, the pangenetic server logs on to the insurerserver and may pass information to the insurer regarding the user orconsumer, such as their unique identifier or insurance plan number, sothat data for the appropriate providers (i.e., in network providerscovered by the consumer's particular insurance plan) will be accessed.In authorize access to insurer server step 1110, the insurer serververifies the authenticity of the pangenetic server and/or userattempting to gain access. In enter preferred provider features step1112, the user can enter preferences for location, price bracket,specialty and gender of providers, for example. In a further embodiment,these preferences may be specified by the user to be inflexiblerequirements for selection of a provider, so that a provider must matchthese specified preferences in order to be a candidate for furtherpangenetic based selection. Alternatively, these preferences can betreated as flexible so that in circumstances when only a small number(or none) of the providers in the system database match all of theuser's preferences, then providers that meet (or approximately meet)some of the preferences are also included to provide at least someviable choices for the user to select from. In identify providers basedon preferred provider features step 1114, the system identifies (i.e.,flags, stores or tabulates) candidate providers for the customer basedon the user specified set of preferred provider features. As an examplein the healthcare field, a user request for a female generalpractitioner located within a particular zip code invokes the system toidentify candidate providers for the consumer that match the desiredgender, subspecialty and location. The preference for specialty may bean inflexible requirement. However, flexibility can be incorporated withrespect to the other preferred features. For example, if a request for afemale general practitioner located in a specific zip code would returna null result, then the system may identify candidate providerscomprising 1) male general practitioners located within the desired zipcode, and 2) female general practitioners located within reasonablyclose proximity to the desired zip code. This example exemplifies howflexibility can be incorporated with respect to multiple desiredfeatures as when no providers meet all the preferred features or when aprovider matches some of the features (e.g., specialty) but not others(e.g., gender and location). This step of identifying providers caninclude, for example, scoring, ranking or ordering the providers basedon the preferred features (i.e., based on the extent to which thepreferred features are possessed by each candidate provider). In afurther embodiment, the user or system can be allowed to decide whichpreferred features are inflexible, which are flexible (and to whatextent they are flexible, such as the maximum allowable distance of aprovider from a desired zip code location), and which have priority inscoring, ranking and/or ordering of the results. It should be noted thatthe above step of identifying providers based on user specifiedpreferred features precedes the following steps of pangenetic basedcomparison and selection, and can therefore serve as a preselection stepif used to filter out providers from further consideration by the stepsthat follow. However, this step can also be relocated in the activitydiagram sequence to follow the pangenetic based comparison and selectionsteps if, for example, the user, customer, providers, insurer or systemdeem pangenetic based selection to be the more important determinant forselection of the best provider for the customer. In transmit providerpangenetic data and success rates step 1116, pangenetic data and one ormore measures of success correlated with the pangenetic data are sent tothe pangenetic server for those providers that were identified in step1114. In another embodiment, the pangenetic data and measures of successcan be contained (i.e., previously stored) on the pangenetic server,thereby eliminating the need for the insurer server to execute steps1114 and 1116 and having the pangenetic server perform those stepsinstead.

In request consumer pangenetic data access authorization step 1118, theuser is queried by the insurer's system to identify the consumer forwhom the selection is intended as well as to provideauthorization/permission to access that consumer's pangeneticinformation. In enter consumer pangenetic data access authorization step1120, the user responds to the system's request for access to consumerpangenetic data by inputting information such as a customer identifier,access code and/or access authorization (e.g., user_ID and password)necessary to allow the system to access pangenetic data of the consumer.In verify consumer pangenetic data access authorization step 1122, thepangenetic server authenticates the user based on the information theyprovided. In compare consumer and provider pangenetic data step 1124,the pangenetic based selection system compares provider associatedpangenetic data contained in a database of the system (the providerassociated pangenetic data having been previously correlated with one ormore measures of success) with the consumer associated pangenetic datathat was provided by the pangenetic server. The comparison is designedto determine matches between features contained in the two sets ofpangenetic data. Matching features can be defined as features that areidentical between the two sets of data, or they can be defined somewhatmore non-stringently as features that are equivalent between the twosets of data. Features that are equivalent can be those that are notidentical, but have the same or essentially the same impact on anoutcome, response or phenotype. In filter & rank-list providers based onpangenetic data step 1126, the system filters and ranks candidateproviders based on the results of the pangenetic comparison and cantransmit the providers as a list or tabulation. With respect tofiltering the providers, if the consumer's pangenetic features are apoor match to those associated with a particular provider, then thatprovider can be eliminated (i.e., filtered out) during this step.Providers which match a considerable portion of pangenetic features ofthe consumer can be evaluated with respect to the degree of similarity(i.e., percent identity of the set of features) shared with the consumerand then scored, ranked and/or ordered relative to each other, forexample. Matching between certain pangenetic features can be givengreater weight for the purpose of scoring, ranking and/or ordering, forexample in circumstances where certain pangenetic features are known tohave greater influence on the customer's condition or needs, or thedesired outcome. The list can indicate categories or types of pangeneticfeatures that matched and to what degree, and can also indicate thevalues of non-pangenetic features for providers in the list and theextent of matching with the consumer's preferences with respect to thosefeatures. In one embodiment, the user can be provided with options toadjust parameters such as weighting and priority of features toinfluence the values for scores and ranks of the individual providers orthe order of the providers as listed in the tabulation. In selectprovider from rank listing step 1128, the user selects one or more ofthe providers presented to them by the system based simply on rank orscore, or based on a further evaluation of the type and extent ofpangenetic and non-pangenetic features which matched between theconsumer and each of the providers. In another embodiment, the user canallow the system to make an automated selection of one or more providersfrom the list (e.g., automated selection of the highest ranking orscoring provider). In transmit selection, rank listing, and successrates step 1130, the one or more providers selected by the user (oralternatively the system), along with the scores or ranks of theproviders and the success rates associated with the degree of pangeneticmatch of each provider with the consumer, are transmitted to the insurerfor approval. In approve selection step 1132, the insurer server canapprove (or alternatively reject) one or more of the selected providers.In record approval step 1134, the pangenetic server can save and/ortransmit the insurer's approval (or rejection/denial) of providers tothe user. In logoff step 1136, the user logs out to end the session andterminates secure access to the system. This logoff step can beautomated based on closing the application or moving out of range of anoptical sensor or RFID sensor which detects the presence of theauthorized user to ensure that an unauthorized user does notinadvertently gain access the consumer's pangenetic data or pangeneticbased results, thereby ensuring that strict doctor-patient privacy canbe maintained in a healthcare setting, or ensuring in a public settingthat others do not gain access to an individual's pangenetic datathrough an easily captured mobile device for example.

FIG. 12 illustrates a UML activity diagram for another embodiment ofservice provider selection. In the particular embodiment of ‘selectprovider’ represented in this figure, the pangenetic server (e.g., anEMR, EHR or PHR database server) hosts the portion of the pangeneticbased selection system which performs comparisons between the pangeneticdata of the consumer and candidate providers. In enter user_ID &password step 1202, a user such as a patient (i.e., consumer),healthcare professional, or insurer representative gains secure accessto the system by logging on to the system with their secure personallogin identifiers. This login information can alternatively be in theform of other secure login procedures such as retinal or fingerprintscan, or a personal identification card that is based on magnetic orRFID technology. In authorize user step 1204, the user logon informationis verified and access is granted if the security information passesverification. In enter query for provider selection step 1206, the userenters a request for selection of one or more providers. In logon toinsurer account step 1208, the pangenetic server logs on to the insurerserver and may pass information to the insurer regarding the user orconsumer, such as their unique identifier or insurance plan number, sothat data for the appropriate providers (i.e., in network providerscovered by the consumer's particular insurance plan) will be accessed.In authorize access to insurer server step 1210, the insurer serververifies the authenticity of the pangenetic server and/or userattempting to gain access. In enter preferred provider features step1212, the user can enter preferences for location, price bracket,specialty and gender of providers, for example. In a further embodiment,these preferences may be specified by the user to be inflexiblerequirements for selection of a provider, so that a provider must matchthese specified preferences in order to be a candidate for furtherpangenetic based selection. Alternatively, these preferences can betreated as flexible so that in circumstances when only a small number(or none) of the providers in the system database match all of theuser's preferences, then providers that meet (or approximately meet)some of the preferences are also included to provide at least someviable choices for the user to select from. In identify providers basedon preferred provider features step 1214, the system identifies (i.e.,flags, stores or tabulates) candidate providers for the customer basedon the user specified set of preferred provider features. As an examplein the healthcare field, a user request for a female generalpractitioner located within a particular zip code invokes the system toidentify candidate providers for the consumer that match the desiredgender, subspecialty and location. The preference for specialty may bean inflexible requirement. However, flexibility can be incorporated withrespect to the other preferred features. For example, if a request for afemale general practitioner located in a specific zip code would returna null result, then the system may identify candidate providerscomprising 1) male general practitioners located within the desired zipcode, and 2) female general practitioners located within reasonablyclose proximity to the desired zip code. This example exemplifies howflexibility can be incorporated with respect to multiple desiredfeatures as when no providers meet all the preferred features or when aprovider matches some of the features (e.g., specialty) but not others(e.g., gender and location). This step of identifying providers caninclude, for example, scoring, ranking or ordering the providers basedon the preferred features (i.e., based on the extent to which thepreferred features are possessed by each candidate provider). In afurther embodiment, the user or system can be allowed to decide whichpreferred features are inflexible, which are flexible (and to whatextent they are flexible, such as the maximum allowable distance of aprovider from a desired zip code location), and which have priority inscoring, ranking and/or ordering of the results. It should be noted thatthe above step of identifying providers based on user specifiedpreferred features precedes the following steps of pangenetic basedcomparison and selection, and can therefore serve as a preselection stepif used to filter out providers from further consideration by the stepsthat follow. However, this step can also be relocated in the activitydiagram sequence to follow the pangenetic based comparison and selectionsteps if, for example, the user, customer, providers, insurer or systemdeem pangenetic based selection to be the more important determinant forselection of the best provider for the customer. In transmit list ofproviders step 1216, the one or more providers that were identified instep 1214 are transmitted to the pangenetic server for furtherevaluation based on pangenetic features. In another embodiment,non-pangenetic provider information can be contained (i.e., previouslystored) on the pangenetic server, thereby eliminating the need for theinsurer server to execute steps 1214 and 1216 and having the pangeneticserver perform those steps instead.

In access pangenetic data and success rates associated with providersstep 1218, the pangenetic server accesses provider associated pangeneticinformation and one or more correlated measures of success contained ina database of the pangenetic server. In access consumer pangenetic datastep 1220, the system accesses pangenetic data associated with theconsumer, for example at least a portion of a pangenetic profile of theconsumer. In compare consumer and provider pangenetic data step 1222,the pangenetic based selection system compares provider associatedpangenetic data contained in the pangenetic database with the consumerassociated pangenetic data. The comparison is designed to determinematches between features contained in the two sets of pangenetic data.Matching features can be defined as features that are identical betweenthe two sets of data, or they can be defined somewhat morenon-stringently as features that are equivalent between the two sets ofdata. Features that are equivalent can be those that are not identical,but have the same or essentially the same impact on an outcome, responseor phenotype. In filter & rank-list providers based on pangenetic datastep 1224, the system filters and ranks candidate providers based on theresults of the pangenetic comparison and can transmit the providers as alist or tabulation. With respect to filtering the providers, if theconsumer's pangenetic features are a poor match to those associated witha particular provider, then that provider can be eliminated (i.e.,filtered out) during this step. Providers which match a considerableportion of pangenetic features of the consumer can be evaluated withrespect to the degree of similarity (i.e., percent identity of the setof features) shared with the consumer and then scored, ranked and/orordered relative to each other, for example. Matching between certainpangenetic features can be given greater weight for the purpose ofscoring, ranking and/or ordering, for example in circumstances wherecertain pangenetic features are known to have greater influence on thecustomer's condition or needs, or the desired outcome. The list canindicate categories or types of pangenetic features that matched and towhat degree, and can also indicate the values of non-pangenetic featuresfor providers in the list and the extent of matching with the consumer'spreferences with respect to those features. In one embodiment, the usercan be provided with options to adjust parameters such as weighting andpriority of features to influence the values for scores and ranks of theindividual providers or the order of the providers as listed in thetabulation. In select provider from rank listing step 1226, the userselects one or more of the providers presented to them by the systembased simply on rank or score, or based on a further evaluation of thetype and extent of pangenetic and non-pangenetic features which matchedbetween the consumer and each of the providers. In another embodiment,the user can allow the system to make an automated selection of one ormore providers from the list (e.g., automated selection of the highestranking or scoring provider). In transmit selection, rank listing, andsuccess rates step 1228, the one or more providers selected by the user(or alternatively the system), along with the scores or ranks of theproviders and the success rates associated with the degree of pangeneticmatch of each provider with the consumer, are transmitted to the insurerfor approval. In approve selection step 1230, the insurer server canapprove (or alternatively reject) one or more of the selected providers.In record approval step 1232, the pangenetic server can save and/ortransmit the insurer's approval (or rejection/denial) of providers tothe user. In logoff step 1234, the user logs out to end the session andterminates secure access to the system. This logoff step can beautomated based on closing the application or moving out of range of anoptical sensor or RFID sensor which detects the presence of theauthorized user to ensure that an unauthorized user does notinadvertently gain access the consumer's pangenetic data or pangeneticbased results, thereby ensuring that strict doctor-patient privacy canbe maintained in a healthcare setting, or ensuring in a public settingthat others do not gain access to an individual's pangenetic datathrough an easily captured mobile device for example.

The embodiments of provider selection represented in FIGS. 9-12 can beadapted with minor modification for selection of products, services andestablishments. As mentioned previously, establishments can beconsidered, in one or more embodiments to be service providers, andtherefore the embodiments represented in FIGS. 9-12 can be directlyinterpreted for selecting establishments. An example of how the methodsteps of FIG. 12 can be easily adapted for the selection of services isexemplified by FIG. 13, and can be similarly accomplished for themethods illustrated in FIGS. 9-11.

FIG. 13 illustrates a UML activity diagram for one embodiment of serviceselection. In the particular embodiment of ‘select service’ representedin this figure, the pangenetic server (e.g., an EMR, EHR or PHR databaseserver) hosts the portion of the pangenetic based selection system whichperforms comparisons between the pangenetic data of the consumer andcandidate services. In enter user_ID & password step 1302, a user suchas a patient (i.e., consumer), healthcare professional, or insurerrepresentative gains secure access to the system by logging on to thesystem with their secure personal login identifiers. This logininformation can alternatively be in the form of other secure loginprocedures such as retinal or fingerprint scan, or a personalidentification card that is based on magnetic or RFID technology. Inauthorize user step 1304, the user logon information is verified andaccess is granted if the security information passes verification. Inenter query for service selection step 1306, the user enters a requestfor selection of one or more services. In logon to insurer server step1308, the pangenetic server logs on to the insurer server and may passinformation to the insurer regarding the user or consumer, such as theirunique identifier or insurance plan number, so that data for theappropriate services (i.e., services covered by the consumer'sparticular insurance plan) will be accessed. In authorize access toinsurer server step 1310, the insurer server verifies the authenticityof the pangenetic server and/or user attempting to gain access. In enterpreferred provider features step 1312, the user can enter preferencesfor category/type, brand, and price range of products, for example. In afurther embodiment, these preferences may be specified by the user to beinflexible requirements for selection of a service, so that a servicemust match these specified preferences in order to be a candidate forfurther pangenetic based selection. Alternatively, these preferences canbe treated as flexible so that in circumstances when only a small number(or none) of the services in the system database match all of the user'spreferences, then services that meet (or approximately meet) some of thepreferences are also included to provide at least some viable choicesfor the user to select from. In identify services based on preferredservice features step 1314, the system identifies (i.e., flags, storesor tabulates) candidate services for the customer based on the userspecified set of preferred service features. This step of identifyingservices can include, for example, scoring, ranking or ordering theservices based on the preferred features (i.e., based on the extent towhich the preferred features are possessed by each candidate service).In a further embodiment, the user or system can be allowed to decidewhich preferred features are inflexible, which are flexible, and whichhave priority in scoring, ranking and/or ordering of the results. Itshould be noted that the above step of identifying services based onuser specified preferred features precedes the following steps ofpangenetic based comparison and selection, and can therefore serve as apreselection step if used to filter out services from furtherconsideration by the steps that follow. However, this step can also berelocated in the activity diagram sequence to follow the pangeneticbased comparison and selection steps if, for example, the user,customer, services, insurer or system deem pangenetic based selection tobe the more important determinant for selection of the best service forthe customer. In transmit service list step 1316, the one or moreservices that were identified in step 1314 are transmitted to thepangenetic server for further evaluation based on pangenetic features.In another embodiment, non-pangenetic service information can becontained (i.e., previously stored) on the pangenetic server, therebyeliminating the need for the insurer server to execute steps 1314 and1316 and having the pangenetic server perform those steps instead.

In access pangenetic data and success rates associated with servicesstep 1318, the pangenetic server accesses service associated pangeneticinformation and one or more correlated measures of success contained ina database of the pangenetic server. In access consumer pangenetic datastep 1320, the system accesses pangenetic data associated with theconsumer, for example at least a portion of a pangenetic profile of theconsumer. In compare consumer and service pangenetic data step 1322, thepangenetic based selection system compares service associated pangeneticdata contained in the pangenetic database with the consumer associatedpangenetic data. The comparison is designed to determine matches betweenfeatures contained in the two sets of pangenetic data. Matching featurescan be defined as features that are identical between the two sets ofdata, or they can be defined somewhat more non-stringently as featuresthat are equivalent between the two sets of data. Features that areequivalent can be those that are not identical, but have the same oressentially the same impact on an outcome, response or phenotype. Infilter & rank-list services based on pangenetic data step 1324, thesystem filters and ranks candidate services based on the results of thepangenetic comparison and can transmit the services as a list ortabulation. With respect to filtering the services, if the consumer'spangenetic features are a poor match to those associated with aparticular service, then that service can be eliminated (i.e., filteredout) during this step. Services which match a considerable portion ofpangenetic features of the consumer can be evaluated with respect to thedegree of similarity (i.e., percent identity of the set of features)shared with the consumer and then scored, ranked and/or ordered relativeto each other, for example. Matching between certain pangenetic featurescan be given greater weight for the purpose of scoring, ranking and/orordering, for example in circumstances where certain pangenetic featuresare known to have greater influence on the customer's condition orneeds, or the desired outcome. The list can indicate categories or typesof pangenetic features that matched and to what degree, and can alsoindicate the values of non-pangenetic features for services in the listand the extent of matching with the consumer's preferences with respectto those features. In one embodiment, the user can be provided withoptions to adjust parameters such as weighting and priority of featuresto influence the values for scores and ranks of the individual servicesor the order of the services as listed in the tabulation. In selectservice from rank listing step 1326, the user selects one or more of theservices presented to them by the system based simply on rank or score,or based on a further evaluation of the type and extent of pangeneticand non-pangenetic features which matched between the consumer and eachof the services. In another embodiment, the user can allow the system tomake an automated selection of one or more services from the list (e.g.,automated selection of the highest ranking or scoring service). Intransmit selection, rank listing, and success rates step 1328, the oneor more services selected by the user (or alternatively the system),along with the scores or ranks of the services and the success ratesassociated with the degree of pangenetic match of each service with theconsumer, are transmitted to the insurer for approval. In approveselection step 1330, the insurer server can approve (or alternativelyreject) one or more of the selected services. In record approval step1332, the pangenetic server can save and/or transmit the insurer'sapproval (or rejection/denial) of services to the user. In logoff step1334, the user logs out to end the session and terminates secure accessto the system. This logoff step can be automated based on closing theapplication or moving out of range of an optical sensor or RFID sensorwhich detects the presence of the authorized user to ensure that anunauthorized user does not inadvertently gain access the consumer'spangenetic data or pangenetic based results, thereby ensuring thatstrict doctor-patient privacy can be maintained in a healthcare setting,or ensuring in a public setting that others do not gain access to anindividual's pangenetic data through an easily captured mobile devicefor example.

In one embodiment of a computer based method for selecting a product,service, provider, or establishment, the system can access pangeneticdata and outcome data associated with a plurality of consumers thatreceived products and services, or interacted with service providers andestablishments (service providers can be establishments). The identitiesof the consumers can be masked or anonymized for privacy or securitypurposes. The service provider can be a healthcare provider, anon-healthcare provider, a medical provider, a non-medical provider, aclinical provider, and a non-clinical provider.

Initially, the system can receive a request for a product, service orprovider for a consumer. This request can originate from the consumer, aprovider, or another type of user such as an insurer or claim adjuster.The system can then transmit a request for access to pangenetic dataassociated with the consumer. This request can be met with a variety ofpossible security/authorization procedures and inputs which then resultin the system receiving access to the pangenetic data associated withthe consumer. The pangenetic data may be contained in a single datasetor database (as with a single EHR, EMR or PHR containing pangeneticdata), or it may be contained across multiple datasets or databases. Thepangenetic data can be, for example, SNPs, nucleotides, base pairs,nucleotide sequences, gene sequences, genomic sequences, gene mutations,epigenetic modifications, epigenetic sequence patterns, and pangeneticbased disorders, traits and conditions.

After receiving access to the pangenetic data associated with theconsumer, the system can then proceed to determine the strength ofcorrelation between the pangenetic data associated with the consumer andpangenetic based profiles corresponding to (i.e., associated with)products, services or providers. The determination of these correlationscan be achieved by comparing the pangenetic data associated with theconsumer with the pangenetic profiles associated with the products,services or providers and then employing statistical measures known tothose of skill in the art to compute the values for pangenetic basedstatistical correlations between the consumer and the products, servicesor providers. The results of these statistical measures can provide anindication of the strength (degree) of the correlations as well as thestatistical significance (confidence) of the correlations. Examples ofstatistical measures that provide values indicating the strength ofcorrelations include probability, likelihood (odds), likelihood ratio(odds ratio), absolute risk and relative risk. Examples of statisticalmeasures that provide values indicating statistical significance ofcorrelations include standard deviation, standard error, confidenceintervals, and p values. As mentioned previously, there are algorithmsknow to those of skill in the art for identifying large patterns ofgenetic and epigenetic features shared between individuals, after whichstatistical measures can be applied to determine correlation withoutcomes. The determination of shared features requires determining theequivalence between features at the level of individual features and/orat the level of subcombinations of features. The determination ofequivalence between pangenetic shared features can be inflexible andrequire features to be identical, or it can be flexible and allowfeatures to be non-identical if it is known that the difference betweentwo non-identical pangenetic features or pangenetic featuresubcombinations does not significantly affect an outcome such as aparticular phenotype (e.g., trait, response) or success level. Forexample, pangenetic data can be identified as being equivalent if thepangenetic data are epigenetic or genetic variations that are silentwith respect to their effect on outcome or phenotype (e.g., genesequences which differ by one or more silent nucleotide substitutions,mutations, or polymorphisms). Pangenetic data can also be identified asbeing equivalent if the pangenetic data are conservative geneticvariations (e.g., conservative nucleotide substitutions, mutations, orpolymorphisms occurring within the protein encoding ‘open reading frame’of a gene sequence) that have no effect on the outcome or phenotype ofinterest. Pangenetic data can also be identified as being equivalent ifthe pangenetic data are non-conservative genetic variations (e.g.,non-conservative nucleotide substitutions, mutations, or polymorphisms)that have the same effect on the outcome (e.g., phenotype) of interest.The above variations may occur within one or more gene coding regions orthey may occur outside of gene coding regions (e.g., in noncoding ‘junkDNA’ regions of the genome). In determining the correlation, greaterweight can be given for pangenetic feature matches (i.e., matchesbetween certain types of pangenetic features) that are known to have astronger association with the product, service or provider and/or thelevel of success desired.

The pangenetic based profiles can contain at least one measure ofsuccess corresponding to pangenetic data contained within the pangeneticprofile that are correlated with corresponding products, services orproviders. The measures of success can be used to determine the mostappropriate product, service or provider for the consumer incircumstances when the consumer is a reasonably strong pangenetic matchto a plurality of pangenetic profiles corresponding to several products,services or providers.

Next, the system can transmit an indication that the service provider isappropriate (a match, recommended) for the consumer if the result of thecorrelation exceeds a predetermined threshold. The predeterminedthreshold can be determined by the system, or it can be specified by auser, for example. The system can automatically chose, or be userdirected, to transmit the output to at least one destination—a user, adatabase, a dataset, a computer readable memory, a computer readablemedium, a computer processor, a computer network, a printout device, avisual display, and a wireless receiver—for the purpose of display,storage, or further processing and evaluation. An indication that theproduct, service or provider is appropriate for the consumer can, in oneembodiment, constitute an insurer based approval of the product, serviceor provider for the consumer. An indication that a particular serviceprovider is appropriate for the consumer can, in another embodiment, canconstitute or be used to generate an approval for rendering payment tothat service provider.

In a further embodiment, the method can be repeated for a plurality ofproducts, services or providers, and the results can be transmitted as atabulation of products, services or providers determined to beappropriate for the consumer. In a further embodiment, ranking of theproducts, services or providers in the tabulation can be performed togenerate a rank listing of the service providers determined to beappropriate for the consumer, wherein the rank of each of the serviceproviders in the ranked listing can be based on the magnitude of thecorrelations, and if available, can also be based on the values ofmeasures of success associated with each of the products, service orproviders with respect to a particular desired outcome or phenotype ofinterest. A rank listing can enable a user, consumer or insurer, forexample, to choose (or approve) the best product, service or providerfor the consumer from several appropriate choices.

In a further embodiment of the method and system, the recommendation ofa service provider for a consumer can be used by the pangenetic basedsystem or another system to generate an approval for rendering paymentto the service provider. In addition to being used to generate a paymentapproval, the indicated recommendation can also be used to generate apayment approval request, or to generate a financial transaction orinsurance claim.

In another embodiment of the method and system, non-pangenetic data suchas non-pangenetic features of the consumer, and/or non-pangeneticfeatures that the consumer or user want the product, service or providerto possess, can be included in the selection process. In one embodimentfor example, non-pangenetic features can be used in pre-selection stepsto narrow down (filter) the candidate list of products, services orproviders that are to be processed by pangenetic based selection, inpost-selection steps to filter and refine the results produced bypangenetic based selection, and in steps simultaneous with pangeneticselection to influence the determination of strength of correlationsbetween pangenetic based profiles and the ranking, scoring and/orordering of the selected products, services or providers.

An embodiment of a computer database system for selecting a product,service or provider can comprise a memory having a first data structurecontaining pangenetic data associated with the consumer and a seconddata structure containing a pangenetic based profile corresponding to aservice provider. The computer database system can further comprise aprocessor for receiving a request for a service provider for a consumer;transmitting a request for access to the pangenetic data associated withthe consumer that is contained in the first data structure; receivingaccess to the pangenetic data; correlating the pangenetic data with thepangenetic based profile that is contained in the second data structure;and transmitting an indication that the service provider is appropriate(a match, recommended) for the consumer if the result of the correlationexceeds a predetermined threshold.

In one or more embodiments, data masks can be used to block access,reading and/or transmission of at least a portion of the data (i.e.,data profile) associated with one or more consumers. Any type ofpangenetic (genetic and epigenetic) and non-pangenetic data canpotentially be masked using data masks. Pangenetic data that can bemasked includes, but is not limited to, individual features such asnucleotide identities contained in full or partial genomic sequence, SNPidentities contained in genome scans, individual epigeneticmodifications, epigenetic patterns (i.e., motifs), genetic or epigeneticregulated gene expression patterns (which can be tissue specific),individual genetic mutations, genetic mutation rates, telomere length (amarker of age and the rate of senescence), and occurrences of genomeintegrated viruses and virus sequences (such as occurrences ofintegration of HIV virus into the human genome).

A consumer may want portions of their pangenetic data to be masked from(i.e., inaccessible to) an insurer, such as particular genetic sequencesor epigenetic patterns that reveal the consumer's present healthconditions, their susceptibilities toward acquiring particular diseasesin the future (i.e., disease predispositions), or their predictedlifespan (i.e., longevity predisposition). The consumer may want to keepthe majority of their pangenetic information private from the insurerand only permit access to the minimum amount of pangenetic datanecessary for the insurer to approve coverage of a selected product orservice, or to process an insurance claim. At the same time, theconsumer may want these portions of their pangenetic data to be unmasked(i.e., non-masked and accessible) to their physician so that thephysician can perform a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment selection,for example. To enable both individualized and application dependentcontrol of pangenetic data access, one or more data masks (i.e.,pangenetic data masks, non-pangenetic data masks) can be used to controlaccess, reading and/or transmission of certain data features asspecified by the consumer, or as specified by a user (e.g., a physician)on behalf of the consumer. In one embodiment, one or more data masks canbe associated with (i.e., linked to) one or more sets of data or a dataprofile (i.e., a pangenetic profile or a non-pangenetic profile)associated with the consumer. The data masks can be further linked toidentifiers of particular individuals and organizations, so that whenthose individuals and organizations attempt to acquire the consumer'sdata, the appropriate mask will be applied to ensure access ortransmission of only those portions of the consumer's data for whichpermission is granted with respect to those individuals andorganizations. In another embodiment, data masks can be stored inassociation with identifiers of particular products, services andproviders and applied to the data of consumers when generatingpangenetic profiles for those products, services or providers, or whenmaking pangenetic based selections of those entities for the consumer,without regard to the particular individual or organization that isaccessing the consumers' data to accomplish those tasks. Pangenetic datamasks that are associated with products, services and providers canprovide the added benefit of increasing processing efficiency ofprofiling and selection methods by streamlining access and/or reading ofconsumer data features to only the designated portions of their dataconsidered relevant to the profiling or selection of those particularproducts, services and providers. In one embodiment, a data maskassociated with a consumer or user and a data mask associated with aproduct, service, or provider can be applied simultaneously whenaccessing a consumer's data profile (i.e., one or more data records).

In one or more embodiments, a consensus mask (consensus data mask) canbe generated from two or more data masks and used to limit access to aportion of the data represented by the intersection between those two ormore data masks. In one embodiment, the consensus mask can be a datamask representing a consensus between a plurality of data masks withrespect to which data should be unmasked. In another embodiment, aconsensus mask can be a data mask that represents a set of features(i.e., feature positions or identifiers, data record positions oridentifiers) that a plurality of data masks all agree are permissiblefor access, reading and/or transmission. In the embodiment disclosedabove which describes the simultaneous application of two or more datamasks—at least one data mask associated with a consumer or user and atleast one data mask associated with one or more products, services orproviders—a consensus mask can be generated from the intersection ofthose two or more data masks and applied when accessing and/ortransmitting the consumer's data, effectively achieving the same resultas the simultaneous application of the two or more separate data masks.In one embodiment, the simultaneous application of two of more datamasks comprises the generation and application of a consensus mask. Aconsensus data mask can be applied to the pangenetic and non-pangeneticprofiles of an individual consumer during the selection of products,services and providers for that consumer.

A consensus mask can also be generated and used in circumstances ofpangenetic profiling where, for example, two or more consumers havechosen to make at least a portion of their pangenetic data inaccessibleusing pangenetic data masks, but those pangenetic masks differ from eachother. A consensus mask can be generated from the intersection of thediffering data masks and then applied to the data profiles of all of theconsumers being considered in that particular instance. With respect topangenetic data for example, this ensures that the same set ofpangenetic features, a minimal shared set of features, will be accessedfor all of the pangenetic profiles associated with a group of consumers.So, by generating and using a consensus mask with respect to a group ofconsumers, inadvertent access to confidential pangenetic data can beprevented for the entire group while at the same time ensuring uniformaccess to exactly the same pangenetic features within each of theconsumer's pangenetic profiles, thereby providing consistent and validresults when determining statistical associations, as may be requiredwhen generating pangenetic based profiles of products, services orproviders, for example.

FIG. 14 illustrates abstract representations of data masks, morespecifically three data masks labeled as data masks #1, #2 and #3 andone consensus mask that was generated from those three data masks.Within each of the masks, the ‘M’ character represents a mask featureindicator which indicates that the corresponding feature is masked andtherefore inaccessible for reading or transmission. Within each of themasks, each ‘U’ character represents an unmask feature indicator whichindicates that the corresponding feature is unmasked and thereforeaccessible for reading or transmission. With respect to masking ofpangenetic data, each ‘M’ and ‘U’ character that is illustrated cancorrespond to a pangenetic data feature constituting an individualnucleotide, a SNP, a string of nucleotides (i.e., a nucleotidesequence), one or more partial or complete genes, an epigeneticnucleotide modification, or one or more partial or complete epigeneticpatterns, for example. With respect to masking of non-pangenetic data,each ‘M’ and ‘U’ character that is illustrated can correspond to avariety of non-pangenetic features or combinations of non-pangeneticfeatures.

Referring again to FIG. 14, the consensus data mask can be generated byat least two approaches. In an embodiment of a first approach, which isbased on determining the intersection of unmasked features of a set ofdata masks, every unmasked feature position that is common to all thedata masks is compiled into a singular collective mask in which theremaining positions are designated as masked feature positions bydefault, thereby creating the consensus mask. In an embodiment of asecond approach, which is based on determining the union of maskedfeatures of a set of data masks, masked feature positions that arepresent in at least one of the data masks are consolidated into asingular collective mask in which the remaining positions are designatedas unmasked features by default, thereby creating the consensus mask.

Both data masks and consensus data masks should align appropriately tothe respective data profiles of the consumers, to ensure that each datafeature associated with each of the consumers is handled as masked orunmasked in accordance with the corresponding data mask. In oneembodiment, this can be achieved by generating and using data masks (andconsensus data masks) that cover the entire data profile of theconsumer, from beginning to end, such that every feature or featuregroup (an associated set of features treated as a single unit) presentwithin the data profile of the consumer has a corresponding indicator inthe mask (e.g., either a ‘M’ and ‘U’ character) which indicates whetherthat data feature is to be treated as a masked feature or an unmaskedfeature with respect to access and/or transmission. In an alternativeembodiment, a data mask does not cover the entire pangenetic ornon-pangenetic profile of a consumer, but rather, is mapped tocorresponding data features in the profile of the consumer using featureidentifiers, indices, addresses, pointers or keys which ensure that themasked and unmasked data feature indicators point to (i.e., map to) theappropriate features (i.e., corresponding feature values) contained inthe consumer's data profile. In one embodiment, only masked featurepositions are represented in the data mask using feature identifiers,indices, addresses, pointers or keys which point to the correspondingdata features of the consumer's data profile, the unmasked featuresbeing absent from the data mask. In another embodiment, only theunmasked feature positions are represented in the data mask usingfeature identifiers, indices, pointers or keys which point to thecorresponding data features of the consumer's data profile, the maskedfeatures being absent from the data mask.

There are several different methods by which to apply a data mask to adata profile. In one embodiment, a data mask is merged with a dataprofile of the consumer to generate a temporary data profile (a maskedhybrid data profile) of the consumer. This can be accomplished bygenerating a copy of a data profile of the consumer and replacing thosefeature values which the data mask indicates need to be masked with, forexample, nondescriptive placeholders such as an alphanumeric characteror a symbol (e.g., ‘X’, ‘#’, ‘*’, or ‘$’), or alternatively, deletingthe masked feature values from the temporary data profile. The temporarydata profile can then be made available in its entirety for reading ortransmission without having to block access or transmission of any ofthe data features it contains.

In a different embodiment, a data mask can be applied to a data profileby accessing, reading or transmitting data from the data profile inaccordance with the pattern of mask and unmask indicators contained inthe data mask. As such, the data mask is executed as a set ofinstructions, wherein each unmask feature indicator is interpreted as aread/transmit (i.e., process feature) instruction with respect to thecorresponding data feature value in the consumer's data profile, andwherein each mask feature indicator is interpreted as anon-read/non-transmit (i.e., skip feature) instruction with respect tothe corresponding data feature value in the consumer's data profile. Inone embodiment, the data mask contains only unmask feature indicatorsthat provide read/transmit instructions with respect to thecorresponding data feature values in the consumer's data profile,wherein the unmask feature indicators are mapped to the correspondingfeatures of the consumer's data profile using feature identifiers,indices, addresses, pointers or keys. In another embodiment, the datamask contains only mask feature indicators that providenon-read/non-transmit instructions with respect to the correspondingdata feature values in the consumer's data profile, wherein the maskfeature indicators are mapped to the corresponding features of theconsumer's data profile using feature identifiers, indices, addresses,pointers or keys.

FIG. 15 illustrates a UML class diagram depicting one embodiment of ahealthcare database which incorporates masking of pangenetic andnon-pangenetic data. The user class, service provider class, and insurerclass can interact indirectly with a pangenetic metaclass and anon-pangenetic metaclass (each of which can contain many types ofpangenetic data and non-pangenetic data respectively), through anauthorization association which can apply masks to the pangenetic dataand the non-pangenetic data to obtain appropriately masked data.

As can be seen from FIG. 15, a user that attempts to access thehealthcare database system can be identified by the system to ensurethat they receive the appropriate degree of access, and the ability toadd and modify data as appropriate. As illustrated, an identificationclass which includes security related attributes such as a password,secret question, and biometric data (e.g., fingerprint scan, retinalscan, or facial recognition data) can be used by the system to identifythe user provides when the user logs in to gain access to the system,for example. The various operations associated with the identificationclass can include an apply operation in which security relatedattributes are requested of and received from the user; an acceptoperation in which the identifying information provided by the user atthe time of requested access are determined to match storedidentification attributes of the user, resulting in granting of access;a deny operation in which identifying information provided by the userat the time of requested access are determined to differ from storedidentification attributes of the user, resulting in denial of access; anupdate operation in which identifying information stored in associationwith the user (e.g., an identification profile of the user) can beupdated to reflect changes in that information, for example user orsystem initiated password changes.

As further illustrated in FIG. 15, the user class attributes whichcharacterize the user can include a user name, a user_ID, a user address(i.e., mailing, billing, business and/or residential address), an emailaddress, an insurance plan number and type associated with one or moreconsumers, and an insurer_ID associated with the consumer's insurer andinsurance plan. The user can be a consumer, a provider or an insurer,and the user class attributes can be recorded in a user profilecontained in a database of the system. Various operations can beassociated with the user class and, as illustrated, can include anupdate data operation that enables the system to update user attributesassociated with the user; a delete user operation that enables thesystem to delete a user record from the system database; a receiverequest operation that enables the user to input a request for implementof a specific operation (i.e., functionality) of the system such as arequest to create a mask or a request to select a service or provider;an authorize request operation that enables the system to authorize theuser's request based on the identifying information associated with theuser and any permission profiles and/or masks associated with the user,products, services, providers, and particular implementation requested,all of which can be used to determine the level and pattern of dataaccess that is permissible for that user in that instance; and atransmit confirmation operation that enables the system to transmit anindication to the user and other components of the system that access ispermitted in accordance with the permission profiles, masks, and theaccess determination generated for that user for the purpose requested.

As further illustrated in FIG. 15, the user class can interact with themask class to create and modify various types of data masks. The usercan, for example, initiate the creation of masks having attributeswhich, as illustrated, can include the mask name; the mask type (e.g.,general mask types such as genetic, genetic coding, genetic regulatory,epigenetic, non-pangenetic, demographic, or more specific mask typessuch as those corresponding to and identified by gene name orcorresponding trait/condition, for example); the expiration time/date ofthe mask; the known association regions (i.e., those portions/regions ofthe masked data that are known to associate with particular physicaltraits, behaviors, health conditions and/or predispositions); generalconfidential regions which indicate data that are to be kept private(masked) from others; and insurance confidential regions which indicatedata that are to be masked specifically with respect to access andreading of the data by an insurer or in instances of transmission of thedata for insurance or payment approval purposes. Various operations canbe associated with the mask and, as illustrated, can include an applyoperation in which a mask is applied to a set of data; an updateoperation in which a mask is updated based on user or system suppliedinformation; a delete operation in which a user can implement deletionof a mask or the system can perform automated deletion of a mask thathas reached its expiration date; and a create consensus operation inwhich a consensus data mask can be generated from two or more masks asdisclosed previously and then applied to targeted data in accordancewith the apply operation.

As further illustrated in FIG. 15, the user class interacts with theauthorization class to control access, reading and transmission ofconsumer associated data (i.e., pangenetic and non-pangenetic data)through application of data masks to the data. The authorization classincludes a type attribute which can indicate whether a particularauthorization relates to access to pangenetic or non-pangenetic datatypes, and/or which individual or organization type is attempting toreceive access to the data; a duration attribute which can specify theamount of time granted for accessing the data and/or can specify thelength of time permissible for a user time-out, after which the systemcan execute an automated logout of the user from the system; and anumber of reads attribute which indicates the number of times the datacan be accessed during a each user session, or the number of times aparticular portion of the data can be transmitted to a particulardestination during each user session. Various operations can beassociated with the authorization class and, as illustrated, an allowmask access operation can enable the user to access a mask for analysis,modification or deletion; an apply mask operation which enables a userto modify an existing mask; and a transmit masked data operation whichenables the transmission of masked data to a destination such as aninterface, workstation or server that is operated or accessed by aservice provider or insurer.

FIG. 15 further illustrates a pangenetic data metaclass representingvarious pangenetic data classes, each of which can be characterized byattributes including a type attribute which indicates the type ofpangenetic data; a position attribute which indicates the position ofthe corresponding genetic or epigenetic feature within the genome and/orwithin a mask; and a value attribute which indicates the value of thegenetic or epigenetic feature, for example the value of a nucleotidefeature (e.g., C, A, T or G). The pangenetic data metaclass can havevarious operations including an add data operation which enables theaddition of new pangenetic data to a pangenetic profile of the user,product, service, or provider; a delete data operation which enables thedeletion of pangenetic data from the pangenetic profile of a user,product, service or provider; and a correct data operation which enablesthe modification of pangenetic data contained in the pangenetic profileof a user, product, service or provider.

FIG. 15 further illustrates a non-pangenetic data metaclass representingvarious non-pangenetic data classes, each of which can be characterizedby attributes including a type attribute which indicates the type ofnon-pangenetic data; a position attribute which indicates the positionof the corresponding non-pangenetic feature within a dataset and/or amask, and a value attribute which indicates the value of thenon-pangenetic feature, for example a zip code value which indicates alocation.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, attributes of the service provider class caninclude provider name; a provider_ID linked to the provider name as wellas services offered and outcomes achieved; a provider type which candescribe the specialty and/or type of services offered by the provider;provider address; and insurance types which can indicate the types ofinsurance or names of insurance providers that the provider isaffiliated with or accepts for payment. The various operations of theservice provider class, as illustrated, can include an add provideroperation which enables new providers to be added to the system; amodify provider data operation which allows attributes associated with aprovider to be updated and changed; an add insurer operation whichenables additional insurers to be linked to the provider for purposes ofservice coverage; a request data operation which enables a serviceprovider to make queries and request various analyses with respect toconsumers, insurers, products, services and other service providers; areceive data operation which enables the service provider to receivepangenetic data and analyses results they requested in one of severalforms to one of several possible computing devices and interfaces; aconfirm reception operation which enables the service provider toconfirm receipt of the pangenetic data, wherein the system can recordthe receipt; and an indicate inadequate operation which enables theservice provider to indicate to the system that the pangeneticinformation provided is inadequate or the recommendation provided withrespect to a product, service or provider is unsatisfactory, therebyinitiating a reevaluation of the request or additional steps to correctthe inadequacy.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, attributes of the insurer class can includeinsurer name; an insurer_ID linked to at least the insurer name andplans offered by the insurer; an insurer address; and coverage codeslinked to products, services and providers covered under the insurer'svarious plans and customers' policies. The various operations of theinsurer class, as illustrated, can include an add insurer operationwhich enables an insurer to be added to the database system; a modifyinsurer data operation which enables the attribute data of the insurerto be updated and changed; a request data operation which enables theinsurer to make queries and request various analyses with respect toconsumers, products, services and service providers; a receive dataoperation which enables the insurer to receive the data and analysesresults they requested in one of several forms to one of severalpossible computing devices and interfaces; a confirm reception operationwhich enables the insurer to confirm receipt of the pangenetic data, andthe system can record the receipt; an indicate inadequate operationwhich enables the insurer to indicate to the system that the pangeneticinformation provided is inadequate or the recommendation provided withrespect to a product, service or provider is unsatisfactory; an indicateauthorization operation which enables the insurer to indicate approval(i.e., authorize) of a product, service or service provider for aconsumer; and an indicate payment approval operation which enables theinsurer to authorize payment for a product or service received by aconsumer or a service provider that provided services to the consumer.

FIG. 16 illustrates a UML use case diagram depicting one embodiment of amasked database transaction system 1600 in which a user, serviceprovider and insurer can interact to select, authorize and approvepayment for products, services and providers for a consumer. The user801 (e.g., a consumer) can add pangenetic data to the masked databasetransaction system 1600 through contribute pangenetic data use case 1602in which the user can request import of their pangenetic data from anEMR or another source, the authenticity of the pangenetic data can beverified, and the data reformatted, if necessary, to match astandardized format consistent with requirements for pangenetic maskingand pangenetic based profiling and selection of products, services andproviders. Through authorize access use case 1604, the user 801 canindicate other users, including providers and insurers, that arepermitted at least some degree of access to the user's pangenetic andnon-pangenetic data contained in the database of the system. Inauthorize mask use case 1604, the user 801 can authorize which masks thesystem should apply when particular providers and insurers attempt toaccess or receive the user's confidential (i.e., sensitive, private)pangenetic and non-pangenetic data. The user 801 can generate and/ormodify masks for application to their pangenetic and non-pangenetic databy indicating which specific features they want concealed in each maskthrough specify masking parameters use case 1608. With respect topangenetic features, specify masking parameters use case 1608 canfurther allow user 801 to specify particular pangenetic based diseasesand traits for which they wish to keep the corresponding pangeneticfeatures concealed from insurers, for example. The system can identifythe pangenetic features associated with those specified disease andtraits through access known associations use case 1610 and thendesignate those features as parameters to be masked through specifymasking parameters use case 1608. In generate mask use case 1612, thesystem uses the specified masking parameters and mask authorizations togenerate one or more masks that can be linked not only to the user, butto particular providers and insurers as authorized by the user and toparticular products, services and providers as determined by the system,for performing pangenetic based profiling or selection of products,services and providers.

Further with respect to FIG. 16, user 801, provider 105 and insurer 1601can submit their identifying information (e.g., user_ID and password)and queries for access to pangenetic data associated with a consumer(e.g., user 801) or queries for pangenetic based selection of productsand services through request pangenetic data access use case 1614. Basedon the identities of provider 105 and insurer 1601, the system canselect and apply the appropriate mask to the pangenetic data associatedwith the consumer. Provider 105 and insurer 1601 can receive access toor transmission of the masked pangenetic data through receive maskedpangenetic data use case 1616. If a query for profiling or selection ofproducts, services or providers was submitted through request pangeneticdata access use case 1614, the system can determine the correlationbetween the pangenetic data associated with the consumer and pangeneticdata associated with the products, services or providers through performcorrelation use case 1618. If selection of products, services orproviders was requested, in perform correlation use case 1618 the systemcan also select the best product, service or provider, or alternatively,tabulate a rank listing of appropriate products, services or providersbased on the determined correlation. The system can then transmit theresult to user 801, provider 105 and/or insurer 1601 through a varietyof possible interfaces and devices in report result use case 1620. Inapprove product, service or provider use case 1622, the user 801 and/orthe provider 105 can indicate acceptance of a product, service orprovider selection that was reported by the system or, if a rank listingwas provided by the system, they can select one or more products,services or providers from the rank listing that they prefer over theothers. Through authorize payment use case 1624, the insurer 1601 canauthorize payment for a product, service or provider selection and thepayment authorization can be transmitted to provider 105.

FIG. 17 illustrates a UML activity diagram depicting one embodiment of amasked data transaction system for selection of services (includingdeliverable products) and providers for a consumer. In enter user_ID &password step 1702, a user such as a patient (i.e., consumer),healthcare professional, or insurer representative gains secure accessto a pangenetic server (i.e., pangenetic based computer system) bylogging on to the system with their secure personal login identifiers.This login information can alternatively be in the form of other securelogin procedures such as retinal or fingerprint scan (i.e., biometricdata), or a personal identification card that is based on magnetic orRFID technology. In authorize user step 1704, the user logon informationis verified and access is granted if the security information passesverification. In one embodiment, the pangenetic server is under theadministration of the insurer such that the pangenetic server is aninsurer server. In enter request for services/providers step 1706, theuser enters a request for selection of one or more services orproviders. In select pangenetic mask based on user & request step 1708,the system selects a pangenetic mask based on the identity of the userand the type request entered by the user.

As previously disclosed, a completely different mask may be applied tothe consumer's pangenetic data depending on whether user is a physicianor an insurer, and whether the request results are to be transmitted asoutput to a physician as opposed to an insurer. The nature of therequest can also determine the application of additional masks, forexample, a mask associated with services or providers which reduce thenumber pangenetic features of the consumer that need to be read to onlythose which are considered by the system to be relevant to selection ofthose particular services and providers, or the particular request(e.g., selection versus profiling). In apply pangenetic mask topangenetic data of consumer step 1710 of FIG. 17, one or more masks canbe applied to the pangenetic data of the consumer for the purpose ofconcealing pangenetic features that are considered by the consumerand/or the system to be confidential with respect to the user and theparticular request. In one embodiment this can involve the generationand application of a consensus mask created from two or more masks. Inread pangenetic data of consumer according to mask step 1712, thepangenetic features associated with the consumer are read in accordancewith the applied mask (i.e., only the unmasked pangenetic data featuresare read). In perform pangenetic based correlation of consumer withservices/providers step 1714, the system compares the unmaskedpangenetic features of the consumer with pangenetic data combinationscontained in pangenetic based profiles of the services or providers,each pangenetic data combination associated with a particular outcomeand a particular service or provider.

In one embodiment, the unmasked pangenetic data features associated withthe consumer are correlated with the pangenetic data combinations bydetermining the percent match between each pangenetic data combinationand the pangenetic data of the consumer, and then ranking the pangeneticdata combinations based on the percent matching achieved relative to oneanother. In one embodiment, the rank is also based on levels of success(success levels) associated with the outcomes so that both success leveland percent match are used to determine rank in a concurrent evaluationin which a pangenetic combination associated with a higher success levelthan another pangenetic combination will receive the higher rank whenboth have the same degree (i.e., percent) of pangenetic match to theconsumer. In another embodiment, the percent match and the outcomesuccess level associated with a correlation are both used to determinerank, but are differentially weighted for the purpose of making thedetermination. In select services/providers based on the correlationstep 1716, the most highly ranked (i.e., the best matching) service orprovider for the consumer can be selected by the system, oralternatively, several of the most highly ranking services or providerscan be selected by the system. In one embodiment, the number of provideror services to be selected can be a predetermined parameter set by theuser or system, or can be based on a predetermined threshold whichspecifies a minimum value for the quality or percentage of the matchbetween the pangenetic data associated with the consumer and apangenetic data combination associated with a service or provider. Intransmit selection step 1718, the one or more selected services orproviders are transmitted by the system to the user, and in thisexample, to an insurer. The destination of the transmission can also beto a database, a dataset, a computer readable memory, a computerreadable medium, a computer processor, a computer network, a printoutdevice, a visual display, and a wireless receiver. In one embodiment,the transmission can include ranks of the services or providers and/orthe associated outcome success levels (this is applicable to severalembodiments disclosed herein).

In approve selection step 1720 of FIG. 17, the insurer can determinewhether the selected service or provider, or which of a plurality ofselected services or providers, are acceptable for the consumer in thecourse of formulating a pre-authorization, pre-certification,pre-determination or final authorization of payment. In one embodiment,this determination of approval can be based on a cross-check of thecurrent benefits remaining in the consumer's plan for the year or theconsumer's remaining lifetime benefits, for example. In transmitapproval step 1722, the determination of approval (or disapproval) ofone or more services or providers can be transmitted to the user (e.g.,consumer), and/or another individual (e.g., the consumer's doctor) ororganization associated with the user. The destination of thetransmission can also be to a database, a dataset, a computer readablememory, a computer readable medium, a computer processor, a computernetwork, a printout device, a visual display, and a wireless receiver.In logoff step 1724, the user logs out to end the session and terminatessecure access to the system. This logoff step can be automated based onclosing the application or moving out of range of an optical sensor orRFID sensor which detects the presence of the authorized user to ensurethat an unauthorized user does not inadvertently gain access theconsumer's pangenetic data or pangenetic based results, thereby ensuringthat strict doctor-patient privacy can be maintained in a healthcaresetting, or ensuring in a public setting that others do not gain accessto an individual's pangenetic data through an easily captured mobiledevice for example.

In one embodiment of a computer based method of profiling products,services and providers, a pangenetic based database system can access aset of outcome data and a plurality of pangenetic data masks associatedwith a plurality of consumers that received a product or service from aprovider. As previously disclosed, the system can generate a consensuspangenetic data mask based on the plurality of pangenetic data masks.The system can then receive access, in accordance with the consensuspangenetic data mask, to a plurality of pangenetic data associated withthe plurality of consumers. The system can then generate, based on theaccessed pangenetic data and the outcome data, a pangenetic profilecontaining pangenetic data correlated with outcomes experienced by theconsumers with respect to the product, service or provider. The systemcan then transmit the pangenetic profile in association with anidentifier of the product, service or provider in order to provide apangenetic based profile of the product, service or provider.

In one embodiment of a computer based method for selecting products,services and providers, a pangenetic based database system can receive arequest for product, service or provider selection for a consumer. Thesystem can then transmit a request for access to pangenetic dataassociated with the consumer in accordance with a pangenetic data mask.After receiving access to the pangenetic data in accordance with thepangenetic data mask, the system can then determine the correlation ofthe pangenetic data with a pangenetic based profile corresponding to aproduct, service or provider. The system can then transmit an indicationthat the service is selected for the consumer if the result of thecorrelation exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the predeterminedthreshold can be set by the system or a user of the system.

Mobile devices (i.e., wireless computing and communications devices) canbe utilized advantageously by consumers, providers and insurers forpangenetic based transactions because they can provide the ability toimmediately request access to pangenetic information, authenticatethemselves on the system, allow approval for access to the pangeneticinformation, and receive transmitted authorizations, approvals ordenials with respect to selection of and payment for various products,services and service providers, for example. However, use of mobiledevices place additional requirements on the system due to securityconcerns and memory limitations.

In terms of security and authentication, the mobile device may use anynumber of encryption techniques including but not limited to WiredEquivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption, Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA),Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP), Lightweight ExtensibleAuthentication Protocol (LEAP), Remote Authentication Dial In UserService (RADIUS), and WLAN Authentication and Privacy Infrastructure. Inaddition, the mobile devices may use one or more physical types ofsecurity including but not limited to smart cards and/or USB tokens.Software tokens may also be used as a form of security.

Additionally with respect to authentication, the mobile device may baseauthentication on simple password based authentication, biometricidentification (e.g. fingerprint recognition or retinal scan) orcombinations thereof. Additionally, hardware type solutions may be usedin which smart cards, identification chips, or other devices personallyassociated with the user are utilized in part or wholly foridentification and/or authentication. The authorization interface in themobile device provides the appropriate combination of authenticationprotocols and procedures to insure that only an authorized individual isauthenticated.

In addition to the secure connections, which may be established betweenthe wireless devices and access nodes, pangenetic servers or providerservers, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can be used to establish secureend-to-end connections between devices. In one embodiment, wirelesssecurity is utilized to establish a secure connection to a server, and aVPN is subsequently established to ensure secure transmission along theentire data path. Similarly, a VPN may be established between theprovider mobile device and the provider server, and a VPN may beestablished between the provider server and the insurer server.

In order to minimize data storage requirements at the mobile devices aswell as to limit the amount of pangenetic data that is exposed to thewireless link, in one embodiment little or no pangenetic data istransmitted to the mobile units, but rather is transferred, afterappropriate masking, from the pangenetic server to the provider server.In a further embodiment, a second “wireless mask” is utilized to allowthe transmission of small amounts of critical pangenetic data to amobile device. In one embodiment, the consumer or provider can view keysegments of the pangenetic information through an appropriatepresentation or Graphical User Interface (GUI). For example, a consumermay be seeking treatment for a particular ailment and want to know theoverlap of key pangenetic data with other consumers treated with aparticular healthcare service. In one embodiment, a comparison of alarge amount of masked pangenetic data is performed and used by eitherthe service provider, insurance company, or both, to determine theappropriateness of that healthcare service for the consumer. Theconsumer and provider may both then receive, on their wireless devices,a transmission of the key overlapping pangenetic features that representthe particular pangenetic features shared in common between the consumermaking the inquiry (i.e., query, or request) and other consumers whowere successfully treated with that particular healthcare service in thepast. In one embodiment, a second wireless mask is used to reduce theamount of data transmitted. In an alternate embodiment, a mathematicalor statistical method is used to determine what subset of pangeneticdata should be transmitted to the mobile units.

FIG. 18 illustrates a UML use case diagram depicting a secure maskeddata transaction system for a mobile environment. In logon and submitrequest use case 1811, provider 105 can use mobile device 1801 to loginto provider server 1804 and either request access to pangenetic data ofconsumer N 104 stored in pangenetic server 1806, or request selection ofproducts, services and providers for consumer N 104 based on thepangenetic data stored in pangenetic server 1806. In request pangeneticdata use case 1812, provider server 1804 can transmit a request topangenetic server 1806 for access to pangenetic data associated withconsumer N 1802. In request authorization use case 1813, pangeneticserver 1806 can transmit a request for authorization to mobile device1802 operated by consumer N 104. Following an identity verification(authentication) procedure process through mobile device 1802 asdisclosed previously, consumer N 104 can use mobile device 1802 to grantpermission to pangenetic server 1806 for provider 105 to access theirpangenetic data through grant authorization use case 1814. Thisauthorization can also involve an automated or consumer initiatedrequest for application of one or more data masks to the pangenetic datafor transmission. The choice of masks can be influenced by the nature ofthe original request and whether the pangenetic data will be furthertransmitted to an insurer for approval of product or service selectionsor payment of a claim, for example. In transmit pangenetic data use case1815, pangenetic server 1806 can transmit the requested pangenetic datato provider server 1804. The pangenetic data can be transmitted inmasked form with masked features concealed, or it can be transmitted inaccordance with the mask where only unmasked features are actuallytransmitted, for example. In transmit requested data use case 1819, ifprovider 105 simply requested pangenetic data associated with consumer104, pangenetic data can be transmitted to mobile device 1801 foranalysis and/or display to provider 105. Alternatively, an analysis ofthe pangenetic data can be performed on provider server 1804 and theresults transmitted for display on mobile device 1801 through transmitrequested data use case 1819. In circumstances where insurer approval ofa selected product, service or provider is requested, or insurerapproval of payment for an insurance claim directed to one or more ofthose entities is requested, the provider server 1804 can transmit sucha request for approval to insurer server 1808 through requestpre-authorization use case 1816. The request can constitute a requestfor a pre-authorization, pre-certification, pre-determination or claimpayment, for example. In transmit pangenetic data & analysis use case1817, provider server 1804 can transmit the pangenetic data and anypreliminary analysis results required by the insurer to insurer server1808. In certain circumstances the provider server 1804 may applyadditional masks to the pangenetic data before transmitting the data toinsurer server 1808. Following consideration of the pangenetic data andany analysis results derived therefrom, if insurer server 1808determines that the submitted request should be approved, insurer server1808 can transmit an approval through transmit pre-authorization usecase 1818. Provider server 18084 can generate a record of thepre-authorization in association with consumer N 104 and transmit thepre-authorization to mobile device 1801 of provider 105 through transmitrequested data use case 1819. In an alternative embodiment, provider 105can interact essentially directly with insurer server 1808 using mobiledevice 1801, without having to go through provider server 1804 as anintermediary.

In one embodiment, a computer based method is provided for utilizationof masked healthcare data records which include pangenetic dataassociated with a consumer. A request for at least one healthcare datarecord associated with the consumer can be transmitted by a computerserver operated by a service provider or a pangenetic server system.Next, at least one healthcare data record, wherein the at least onehealthcare data record contains pangenetic data associated with theconsumer that has been masked at one or more locations, can be receivedby the server that made the request. The server can correlate the atleast one healthcare data record with at least one data recordcorresponding to a pangenetic based treatment to determine the strengthof association (correlation) between the consumer's pangenetic makeupand the pangenetic based treatment, and thereby determine the degree ofappropriateness of the treatment for the consumer. This correlationprocess can be repeated for a plurality of pangenetic based treatments,and the plurality of treatments then tabulated based on the results ofthe correlations (i.e., based on strength of association with theconsumer's pangenetic makeup) as a rank listing of treatments whichindicates those treatments that are most appropriate for the consumer,for example, in terms of highest likelihood of achieving the desiredoutcome with least side effects and highest consumer and providersatisfaction levels.

In one embodiment of a computer based method for utilization of maskedhealthcare data records, the results of the correlation can be used toapprove a pangenetic based treatment when the correlation exceeds apredetermined threshold. This approval can also constitute an approvalof payment for the pangenetic based treatment, or it can constitute anapproval of an insurance claim for the pangenetic based treatment. Theresults of the correlation and/or the approval can be transmitted to atleast one destination selected from the group consisting of a user, adatabase, a dataset, a computer readable memory, a computer readablemedium, a computer processor, a computer network, a printout device, avisual display, and a wireless receiver.

In one embodiment of a computer based method for utilization of maskedhealthcare data records, determining the correlation between the atleast one healthcare data record associated with the consumer and the atleast one data record corresponding to a pangenetic based treatment cancomprise determining the correlation between pangenetic data containedin the at least one healthcare data record and pangenetic data containedin the at least one data record. The determination of correlation cancomprise identifying pangenetic data contained in the at least onehealthcare data record that is equivalent to pangenetic data containedin the at least one data record. Identifying the amount and type ofpangenetic data contained in the at least one healthcare data recordthat is equivalent to pangenetic data contained in the at least one datarecord can be used to determine the degree of correlation. Thepangenetic data can be identified as being equivalent if they areidentical, or if the pangenetic data are pangenetic features known to bestatistically associated with the same outcome with respect to thepangenetic based treatment, or if the pangenetic data differ only withrespect to one or more silent pangenetic variations (those that do notimpact a phenotype or outcome of interest, for example). At least aportion of the pangenetic data identified as being equivalent can betransmitted along with results of the correlation or the determinationof an approval. Assuming the at least one healthcare record alsocontains non-pangenetic data associated with the consumer, thedetermination of the correlation can further comprise determining thecorrelation between non-pangenetic data contained in the at least onehealthcare data record and non-pangenetic data contained in the at leastone data record corresponding to the pangenetic based treatment.

In one embodiment, a method is presented for providing access toconsumer controlled pangenetic information in which a request for apangenetic record associated with a consumer can be received by apangenetic based system from a user or another system. The pangeneticbased system can then access a data mask, wherein the data maskcorresponds to record positions which convey pangenetic featuresassociated with one or more health conditions. The pangenetic basedsystem then applies the data mask to the pangenetic record associatedwith the consumer to generate a masked pangenetic record, and the maskedpangenetic record is transmitted to the user or system that made therequest, or to a database, a dataset, a computer readable memory, acomputer readable medium, a computer processor, a computer network, aprintout device, a visual display, and a wireless receiver.

In one embodiment, a method is presented for providing access toconsumer controlled pangenetic information via a pangenetic basedsystem, comprising receiving a request from a user or another system foraccess to a pangenetic record associated with a consumer; receivingauthorization from the consumer for transmission of the pangeneticrecord (authorization can be provided by a consumer using a mobiledevice, for example); accessing a data mask that has been previouslyapproved by at least the consumer, wherein the previously approved datamask corresponds to record positions which convey pangenetic featuresassociated with one or more health conditions, disease predispositionsor longevity predisposition; applying the previously approved data maskto the pangenetic record associated with the consumer to generate amasked pangenetic record; and transmitting the masked pangenetic recordto the user or system that made the request.

In embodiments disclosed herein, the healthcare data record can be, forexample, an EMR, EHR or PHR, and the pangenetic based treatment can be ahealthcare service, a non-healthcare service, a clinical service, amedical procedure or a surgical procedure. In certain embodiments, theidentity of the consumer can be masked or anonymized.

In one embodiment, a computer database system for supporting masked datatransactions is provided which comprises 1) a first set of recordscontaining at least one consumer approved data mask, 2) a second set ofrecords containing confidential consumer data, and 3) an authorizationmodule for performing the steps of: a) receiving a request requiringaccess to at least a portion of the confidential consumer data, b)applying at least one consumer approved data mask from the first set ofrecords to the confidential consumer data from the second set ofrecords, and c) accessing the confidential consumer data in accordancewith the applied data mask. The system can also comprise a transactionmodule for generating pangenetic based profiles of products, services orservice providers based on the confidential consumer data, or forselecting products, services or service providers based on theconfidential consumer data. The transaction module can also be capableof generating a notification of payment approval, an insurance claim, ora financial transaction for products, services or service providers, forexample. The products, services and service providers can be healthcarerelated or non-healthcare related, and the second set of records cancomprise an EMR, EHR or PHR, for example.

In one embodiment of a computer database system for supporting maskeddata transactions, the application of at least one consumer approveddata mask blocks access to and/or reading of at least one portion of theconfidential consumer data (e.g., pangenetic data that reveal theconsumer's present health conditions, disease predisposition, orpredicted longevity). The computer database system can read theconfidential consumer data in accordance with the applied data mask, byusing the data mask as a set of data reading instructions. Similarly,the computer database system can also transmit the confidential consumerdata in accordance with the applied data mask, or the application of theat least one consumer approved data mask can block transmission of atleast one portion of the confidential consumer data. In one embodiment,the application of the data mask to the confidential consumer data cancomprise generating a consensus mask from two or more data masks fromthe first set of records and applying the resulting consensus mask tothe confidential consumer data.

In one embodiment, a computer database system for supporting masked datatransactions is provided which comprises 1) pangenetic data associatedwith a consumer, 2) authorization records, 3) a data mask indicating oneor more portions of the pangenetic data that are not to be transmitted,and 4) a processor for performing the steps of: a) receiving a requestfor at least a portion of the pangenetic data associated with theconsumer, b) verifying the authenticity of the request against theauthorization records, and c) transmitting the pangenetic data inaccordance with the data mask. The one or more portions of the userpangenetic data that are not to be transmitted can correspond topangenetic disease markers or longevity markers, for example.

In one embodiment, a computer database system for supporting masked datatransactions is provided which comprises 1) a first data structurecomprising records which contain consumer pangenetic data, 2) a seconddata structure comprising data masks which, when authorized for use,determine the transmission of selected subsets of the consumerpangenetic data from the records of the first data structure, and 3) athird data structure comprising authorization records which allow anauthorized party to access masked consumer pangenetic data throughapplication of at least one of the data masks of the second datastructure to the consumer pangenetic data of the first data structure.In a further embodiment, the computer database system of claim canfurther comprise a user interface for accessing and modifying the datamasks. In another embodiment, the computer database system can furthercomprise a user interface for accessing and modifying the authorizationrecords. In one embodiment, the application of at least one of the datamasks of the second data structure to the consumer pangenetic data ofthe first data structure can comprise generating a consensus mask fromtwo or more of the data masks of the second data structure and applyingthe resulting consensus mask to the consumer pangenetic data of thefirst data structure.

In one embodiment, a computer based method for secure masked datautilization in a mobile environment is provided comprising 1) receiving,from a first mobile device, a request requiring access to pangeneticdata (e.g., a request for pangenetic data, or a request requiringprocessing of pangenetic data) wherein the pangenetic data can beassociated with a consumer, 2) receiving, from a second mobile device,an authorization granting access to the pangenetic data, 3) accessing adata mask, wherein the data mask's parameters are associated with theauthorization, 4) applying the data mask to the pangenetic data, and 5)transmitting the masked pangenetic data to at least one destinationselected from the group consisting of a user, a database, a dataset, acomputer readable memory, a computer readable medium, a computerprocessor, a computer network, a printout device, a visual display, anda wireless receiver. As disclosed previously, the application of thedata mask to the pangenetic data can be to conceal one or morepangenetic features associated with one or more health conditions or oneor more disease predispositions. The first mobile device can be operatedby a healthcare provider or insurer, for example, and the second mobiledevice can be operated by a consumer.

In a further embodiment of the computer based method for secure maskeddata utilization in a mobile environment, the masked pangenetic datathat is transmitted can be correlated with pangenetic data contained inat least one data record corresponding to a pangenetic based treatment.This correlation step can be repeated for a plurality of pangeneticbased treatments, and the plurality of pangenetic based treatments canthen be rank listed based on the results of the correlations toindicated which treatments are most appropriate for the consumer. In oneembodiment, an approval of the pangenetic based treatment can betransmitted when the correlation exceeds a predetermined threshold. Theapproval can serve as part of a pre-authorization or apre-certification, or it can constitute an approval of payment for thepangenetic based treatment such as in a pre-determination or aninsurance claim approval by a healthcare insurer. The pangenetic basedtreatment can be selected from the group consisting of a healthcareservice, a non-healthcare service, a clinical service, a medicalprocedure and a surgical procedure, and the pangenetic data can becontained in a data record such as an EMR, EHR or PHR, for example.

In another embodiment of the computer based method for secure maskeddata utilization in a mobile environment, the masked pangenetic datathat is transmitted can be correlated with pangenetic data contained inat least one data record associated with a health condition diagnosis,and if the strength of the correlation meets a predetermined threshold,for example, the diagnosis can be transmitted as a diagnosis of theconsumer's health condition. In another embodiment, the maskedpangenetic data that is transmitted can be correlated with pangeneticdata contained in at least one data record associated with a healthcondition prognosis, and if the strength of the correlation meets apredetermined threshold, for example, the prognosis can be transmittedas a prognosis of the consumer's health condition. In anotherembodiment, the masked pangenetic data that is transmitted can becorrelated with pangenetic data contained in at least one data recordassociated with a healthcare recommendation, and if the strength of thecorrelation meets a predetermined threshold, for example, therecommendation can be transmitted as a healthcare recommendation for theconsumer's health condition. In another embodiment, the maskedpangenetic data that is transmitted can be correlated with pangeneticdata contained in at least one data record corresponding to a service,and if the strength of the correlation meets a predetermined threshold,for example, an indication that the service is selected for the consumercan be transmitted. In another embodiment, the masked pangenetic datathat is transmitted can be correlated with pangenetic data contained inat least one data record corresponding to a service provider, and if thestrength of the correlation meets a predetermined threshold, forexample, an indication that the service provider is selected for theconsumer can be transmitted.

In one embodiment, a computer based method for secure masked datautilization in a mobile environment is provided comprising 1) receiving,from a mobile device, a request requiring access to pangenetic data, 2)receiving an authorization granting access to the pangenetic data, 3)accessing a data mask, wherein the data mask's parameters are associatedwith the authorization, and 4) transmitting the pangenetic data inaccordance with the data mask's parameters. In a further embodiment,transmitting the pangenetic data in accordance with the data mask'sparameters can comprise transmitting the portion of the pangenetic datawhich is indicated by the data mask's parameters as being unmasked whilenot transmitting the portion of the pangenetic data which is indicatedby the data mask's parameters as being masked.

In one embodiment, a computer based method for secure masked datautilization in a mobile environment is provided comprising 1) receivinga request requiring access to pangenetic data, 2) receiving, from amobile device, an authorization granting access to the pangenetic data,3) accessing a data mask, wherein the data mask's parameters areassociated with the authorization, and 4) transmitting the pangeneticdata in accordance with the data mask's parameters. In a furtherembodiment, transmitting the pangenetic data in accordance with the datamask's parameters can comprise transmitting the portion of thepangenetic data which is indicated by the data mask's parameters asbeing unmasked while not transmitting the portion of the pangenetic datawhich is indicated by the data mask's parameters as being masked. Inanother embodiment, transmitting the pangenetic data in accordance withthe data mask's parameters can comprise transmitting a copy of thepangenetic data in which the portion of the pangenetic data indicated bythe data mask's parameters as masked is replaced with one or more dataplaceholders. In another embodiment, transmitting the pangenetic data inaccordance with the data mask's parameters can comprise transmitting acopy of the pangenetic data in which the portion of the pangenetic dataindicated by the data mask's parameters as masked is omitted.

In one embodiment, a computer based method for accessing masked data ina mobile environment is provided comprising 1) receiving a requestrequiring access to pangenetic data, 2) generating an authorizationassociated with at least one pre-approved data mask to grant access tothe pangenetic data, and 3) transmitting the authorization associatedwith the at least one pre-approved data mask. The authorization can betransmitted to at least one destination selected from the groupconsisting of a user, a database, a dataset, a computer readable memory,a computer readable medium, a computer processor, a computer network, aprintout device, a visual display, and a wireless receiver. The datamask can be pre-approved by the consumer associated with the pangeneticdata being masked, or the data mask can be pre-approved by a pangeneticbased system that had previously identified a minimum set of pangeneticfeatures required for valid pangenetic based selection of products,services or service providers for the consumer. In one embodiment, theauthorization granting access to the pangenetic data can be generated ifuser input is supplied in the form of at least one combination ofcharacters that matches at least one combination of characters (e.g., auser_ID, password, passphrase, passcode, or PIN) previously stored inassociation with the user, each of the characters being selected fromthe group consisting of alphanumeric characters and non-alphanumericcharacters. For additional security, the combination of charactersstored in association with the user can be stored as a cryptographichash. In another embodiment, the authorization granting access to thepangenetic data can be generated if user input is supplied in the formof at least one combination of characters that matches at least onecombination of randomly selected characters (e.g., automaticallygenerated single-use passwords, and CAPTCHA and reCAPTCHA passwords) bysoftware that interacts with the authorization interface, each of thecharacters being selected from the group consisting of alphanumericcharacters and non-alphanumeric characters. In another embodiment, theauthorization granting access to the pangenetic data can be generated ifuser input is supplied in the form of biometric data that matchesbiometric data previously stored in association with the user.

In one embodiment, a mobile device for providing access to masked datais provided which comprises 1) a receiver for receiving a requestrequiring access to pangenetic data, 2) an authorization interface forgranting access to the pangenetic data by generating an authorizationassociated with at least one pre-approved data mask, and 3) atransmitter for transmitting the authorization associated with the atleast one pre-approved data mask. In one embodiment, the authorizationinterface can generate the authorization for granting access to thepangenetic data if supplied with user input comprising at least onecombination of characters that matches at least one combination ofcharacters (e.g., a user_ID, password, passphrase, passcode, or PIN)previously stored in association with the user, each of the charactersbeing selected from the group consisting of alphanumeric characters andnon-alphanumeric characters. For additional security, the combination ofcharacters stored in association with the user can be stored as acryptographic hash. In another embodiment, the authorization interfacegenerates the authorization if supplied with user input comprising atleast one combination of characters that matches at least onecombination of randomly selected characters (e.g., automaticallygenerated single-use passwords, and CAPTCHA and reCAPTCHA passwords) bysoftware that interacts with the authorization interface, each of thecharacters being selected from the group consisting of alphanumericcharacters and non-alphanumeric characters. In another embodiment, theauthorization interface generates the authorization if supplied withuser input comprising biometric data that matches biometric datapreviously stored in association with the user.

In one embodiment, a computer based method for providing access tomasked pangenetic data in a mobile environment is provided comprising 1)receiving a request for pangenetic data, 2) establishing a secureconnection with a mobile device, 3) verifying the identity of a user ofthe mobile device, and 4) authorizing transmission of pangenetic data towhich a data mask has been applied based on the request and the verifiedidentity of the user of the mobile device. In one embodiment, verifyingthe identity of the user of the mobile device can comprise receiving atleast one combination of characters input by the user and determiningwhether the at least one combination of characters input by the usermatches at least one combination of characters previously stored inassociation with the user, each of the characters being selected fromthe group consisting of alphanumeric characters and non-alphanumericcharacters. In another embodiment, verifying the identity of the user ofthe mobile device can comprise receiving at least one combination ofcharacters input by the user and determining whether the at least onecombination of characters input by the user matches at least onecombination of characters randomly selected by software that interactswith the authorization interface, each of the characters being selectedfrom the group consisting of alphanumeric characters andnon-alphanumeric characters. In another embodiment, verifying theidentity of the user of the mobile device can comprise receivingbiometric data input by the user and determining whether the biometricdata input by the user matches biometric data previously stored inassociation with the user. In a further embodiment of a computer basedmethod for providing access to masked pangenetic data in a mobileenvironment, the method can further comprise a step of selecting thedata mask for application to the pangenetic data based on the requestand the verified identity of the user of the mobile device. In anotherembodiment, the method can further comprise a step of applying the datamask to the pangenetic data based on the request and the verifiedidentity of the user of the mobile device. In one embodiment, the methodcan further comprise verifying the application of the data mask to thepangenetic data. For example, a consumer may require application of aparticular mask they have pre-approved for use when allowing an insurerto access their pangenetic information. The insurer on the other hand(who is associated with the request) may require the use of particularmask for approval of a service for a particular health condition of theconsumer, the mask limiting access to only the relevant pangeneticfeatures that are associated with the service and/or health condition.In one embodiment, this can be achieved by applying the two or moremasks in separate operations. In another embodiment, this can beachieved by using the two or more masks to generate a consensus maskwhich is then applied to the pangenetic data in a single operation.

In one embodiment, a computer system for providing access to maskedpangenetic data in a mobile environment is provided comprising 1) areceiving module for receiving a request requiring access to pangeneticdata, 2) an authorization module for establishing a secure connectionwith a mobile device and for verifying the identity of a user of themobile device, and 3) a communications module for authorizingtransmission of pangenetic data to which a data mask has been appliedbased on the request and the verified identity of the user of the mobiledevice. In one embodiment, the computer system can further comprise adata mask selection module for selecting the data mask for applicationto the pangenetic data based on the request and the verified identity ofthe user of the mobile device. In another embodiment, the system canfurther comprise a data mask application module for applying the datamask to the pangenetic data based on the request and the verifiedidentity of the user of the mobile device. In one embodiment, theauthorization module of the system can also verify the application ofthe data mask to the pangenetic data.

FIG. 19 illustrates a representative computing system on whichembodiments of the present method and system can be implemented. Withrespect to FIG. 19, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 1900 is connected toa local bus 1902 which is also connected to Random Access Memory (RAM)1904 and disk controller and storage system 1906. CPU 1900 is alsoconnected to an operating system including BIOS 1908 which contains bootcode and which can access disk controller and storage system 1906 toprovide an operational environment and to run an application (e.g.service profiling or selection). The representative computing systemincludes a graphics adaptor 1920, display 1930, a wireless unit 1940(i.e., a data receiver/transmitter device), a network adapter 1950 thatcan be connected to a LAN 1952 (Local Area Network), and an I/Ocontroller 1910 that can be connected to a printer 1912, mouse 1914, andkeyboard 1916.

It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the presentmethods, systems, software and databases can be implemented on a numberof computing platforms, and that FIG. 19 is only a representativecomputing platform, and is not intended to limit the scope of theclaimed invention. For example, multiprocessor units with multiple CPUsor cores can be used, as well as distributed computing platforms inwhich computations are made across a network by a plurality of computingunits working in conjunction using a specified algorithm. The computingplatforms may be fixed or portable, and data collection can be performedby one unit (e.g. a handheld unit) with the collected information beingreported to a fixed workstation or database which is formed by acomputer in conjunction with mass storage. Similarly, a number ofprogramming languages can be used to implement the methods and to createthe systems disclosed herein, those programming languages including butnot limited to C, Java, php, C++, perl, visual basic, SQL and otherlanguages which can be used to cause the representative computing systemof FIG. 19 to perform the steps disclosed herein.

FIG. 20. illustrates a representative deployment diagram for apangenetic based profiling, selection and approval system. With respectto FIG. 20, the interconnection of various computing systems over anetwork 2000 to realize the pangenetic based profiling and selectionsystems of FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 8, and the masked database transactionsystems of FIGS. 16 and 18 is illustrated. In one embodiment, consumer N104 uses the PC 602 to interface with the system and more specificallyto enter and receive data. Similarly, the provider 105 uses theworkstation 702 to interface with the system and more specifically toenter and receive data. Pangenetic database administrator 2055 uses anexternal pangenetic database server 2050 for the storage of pangeneticdata in the form of pangenetic EMRs, EHRs, or PHRs for largepopulations. Pangenetic data can also be stored in medical recorddatabase server 2060 in the form of an EMR, EHR or PHR. Consumer N 104can interact via network 2000 with provider database server 2070 torequest and schedule appointments with provider 105 for products,services and provider referrals. Provider 105 can interact via network2000 with provider database server 2070 to request selection ofproducts, services and providers for consumer N 104, and providerdatabase server 2070 can request access to pangenetic data associatedwith consumer N 104 as well as other consumers that is stored, forexample, on pangenetic database server 2050, with the selection processperformed through interaction with pangenetic based profiling &selection database platform 2040. Additionally, provider database server2080 can interact via network 2000 with insurer database server 2070 toobtain insurer approval and/or payment for selected products, servicesand providers for consumer N 104. In one embodiment, workstation 702 canprovide the same functionality as provider data server 2070 for example.All of the aforementioned computing systems are interconnected vianetwork 2000. Pangenetic database server 2050 can be the same aspangenetic server 1806 of FIG. 18, provider database server 2070 can bethe same as provider server 1804 of FIG. 18, and insurer database server2080 can be the same as insurer server 1808 of FIG. 18. Furthermore,consumer N 104 can use mobile device 1802 of FIG. 18 instead of PC 602to interface with the system, and provider 105 can use mobile device1801 of FIG. 18 instead of workstation 702 to interface with the system.

In one embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 20, a pangenetic basedprofiling and selection database platform 2040 is utilized to host thesoftware-based components of pangenetic based profiling and selectionsystems 100, 600, 700 and 800, and data is collected as illustrated inFIGS. 2, 6, 7 and 8. Once product, service, service provider orestablishment selections are determined, they can be displayed toconsumer N 104, provider 105, or both. In an alternate embodiment, thesoftware-based components of pangenetic based profiling and selectionsystems 100, 600, 700 and 800 can reside on workstation 702 operated byprovider 105 or on PC 602 operated by consumer N 104. Pangeneticdatabase administrator 2055 may also maintain and operate pangeneticbased profiling and selection systems 100, 600, 700 and 800 and hosttheir software-based components on external pangenetic database server2050 or medical record database server 2060. Another embodiment is alsopossible in which the software-based components of the pangenetic basedprofiling and selection systems 100, 600, 700 and 800 are distributedacross the various computing platforms. Similarly, other parties andhosting machines not illustrated in FIG. 20 may also be used to createpangenetic based profiling and selection systems 100, 600, 700 and 800.

The methods, systems and databases described herein can also beimplemented on one or more specialized computing platforms, thoseplatforms having been customized to provide the services and productsdescribed herein. The specialized computing platforms may havespecialized operating systems, database tools, graphical userinterfaces, communications facilities and other customized hardwareand/or software which allow use for the specific application which couldnot be run on a general purpose computing platform.

Although the systems and methods described herein are frequentlydescribed in reference to one or more computers which are typicallyowned and operated by the actors in the system (e.g., user, serviceprovider, insurance company and pangenetic database administrator), thedetermination of appropriate products, services and providers can bemade through the use of distributed computing systems or cloudcomputing, wherein the actor requests an action through an interface(typically a web page) and the determination is made using computingresources at one or more server farms, those resources obtaining theappropriate information (e.g. pangenetic information and product,service or provider information and corresponding pangenetic basedsuccess rates) from a variety of sources, and combining that informationto make the required calculations and determinations. When using a cloudcomputing system, the subsequent calculations may be performed atalternate locations.

Pangenetic information may be stored in a number of formats, on avariety of media, and in a centralized or distributed manner. In oneembodiment, the data is stored in one location with a label associatingthat data with a particular user, and one or more indices marking oridentifying segments of pangenetic data. In an alternate embodiment, thepangenetic data is stored at a plurality of locations with one or moreidentifiers or labels associating that information with a particularuser. In this embodiment, secure communications protocols can be used toallow the system to access all necessary portions of the data and tocompile the data in a way that allows the determination ofcorrespondences and applicability to be made. For example, an insurancecompany may be authorized to compile certain segments of genetic orepigenetic sequences stored in one location with lifestyle informationstored in another location to determine which products and services aremost appropriate for a consumer. By collecting the relevant informationfrom a plurality of sources, the system is able to construct anappropriate file for the determination of products, services andproviders that are most appropriate. In one embodiment, the datasets ofthe methods of the present invention may be combined into a singledataset. In another embodiment the datasets may be kept separated.Separate datasets may be stored on a single computing device ordistributed across a plurality of devices. As such, a memory for storingsuch datasets, while referred to as a singular memory, may in reality bea distributed memory comprising a plurality of separate physical orvirtual memory locations distributed over a plurality of devices such asover a computer network. Data, datasets, databases, methods and softwareof the present invention can be embodied on a computer-readable media(medium), computer-readable memory (including computer readable memorydevices), and program storage devices readable by a machine.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the data for one or moreindividuals is obtained from medical records. In one embodiment, atleast a portion of the data for one or more individuals is accessed,retrieved or obtained (directly or indirectly) from a centralizedmedical records database. In one embodiment, at least a portion of thedata for one or more individuals is accessed or retrieved from acentralized medical records database over a computer network.

A number of interfaces can be used to support access by users,physicians, insurance companies, and other parties requiring access tothe system. In one embodiment an interface is presented over the web,using protocols such as http and https in combination with HypertextMarkup Language (HTML), Java, and other programming and datadescription/presentation tools which allow information to be presentedto and received from the user or users. The interface may contain anumber of active elements such as applets or other code which activelyconstructs display elements and which prompts the user for specificinformation and which actively creates queries or formulates or formatsresults for presentation, transmission (e.g. downloading), or storage.In one embodiment the interface allows users to sort data such thatproducts, service and providers can be listed by a particular parameteror sets of parameters. For example, in one embodiment the user canrequest a presentation of most appropriate (highly matched) serviceproviders which are sub-ranked according to proximity. In an alternateembodiment, a graphical presentation (map) is presented which indicatesthe most appropriate (highly matched) service providers by color oricon. The interface can allow authorized queries to the differentdatabases in the system, and, within the constraints of theauthorizations and permissions, make the determinations of applicability(appropriateness) of products, services and providers based on thepangenetic data of the user. In one embodiment, the user interface atone location (e.g. subscriber location) works in conjunction with a userinterface in another location (e.g. insurance company or physician) toallow pangenetic data to be accessed for making a determination ofappropriateness of a product, service or provider.

The embodiments of the present invention may be implemented with anycombination of hardware and software. If implemented as acomputer-implemented apparatus, the present invention is implementedusing means for performing all of the steps and functions disclosedabove.

The embodiments of the present invention can be included in an articleof manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, forinstance, computer useable (i.e., readable) media. The media hasembodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code means forproviding and facilitating the mechanisms of the present invention. Thearticle of manufacture can be included as part of a computer system orsold separately.

While specific embodiments have been described in detail in theforegoing detailed description and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications and alternatives to those details could bedeveloped in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure and thebroad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thescope of the present invention is not limited to the particular examplesand implementations disclosed herein, but is intended to covermodifications within the spirit and scope thereof as defined by theappended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A networked computing system for enabling auser to determine the likelihood of success of a treatment comprising:a) a first computer or processor which authorizes access to said user'spangenetic data; b) a second computer or processor which is programmedto access the user's pangenetic information and, based on authorizationreceived from the first computer or processor, is capable oftransmitting at least a portion of the pangenetic data; and c) a thirdcomputer or processor programmed to receive the at least a portion ofthe pangenetic data and conduct a comparative assessment of said atleast a portion of the pangenetic data with previously stored treatmentprovider related data to determine likely outcomes or success rates ofsaid user for a treatment and providing said success rates to said userbased on prior success rates of treatment of prior users of saidtreatment with correlated degrees of pangenetic data match of said user.2. The networked computing system of claim 1 wherein the first computeror processor is a handheld mobile device.
 3. The networked computingsystem of claim 1 wherein the at least a portion of the pangenetic datais generated using a data mask as applied to the pangenetic data.
 4. Thenetworked computing system of claim 3 wherein the data mask ispredetermined.
 5. The networked computing system of claim 1, wherein thepangenetic data are selected from the group consisting of singlenucleotide polymorphisms, nucleotides, base pairs, nucleotide sequences,gene sequences, genomic sequences, gene mutations, epigeneticmodifications, epigenetic sequence patterns, and pangenetic baseddisorders, traits and conditions.
 6. A computer based method forproviding access to pangenetic data of a user to provide said user withdata as to the likelihood of a useful therapeutic relationship beingpossible with respect to said user and a treatment provider comprising:a) transmitting a request from a first computer or processor havingtherapy data stored therein to a second computer or processor, whereinthe request includes requiring access to at least a portion of thepangenetic data of said user; b) receiving an authorization associatedwith said user from said second computer or processor, wherein theauthorization associated with said user authorizes access to said leasta portion of the user's pangenetic data; c) receiving said at least aportion of the user's pangenetic data at the first computer orprocessor; and, d) conducting a comparative assessment of said at leasta portion of the user's pangenetic data with previously stored treatmentprovider related data to determine likely outcomes or success rates ofsaid user with said treatment provider and providing said success ratesto said user based on prior success rates of treatment of prior usershaving correlated degrees of pangenetic data match with said user. 7.The computer based method of claim 6 wherein the second computer orprocessor is a handheld mobile device.
 8. The computer based method ofclaim 6 wherein the at least a portion of the pangenetic data of theuser is generated based on the use of a data mask.
 9. The computer basedmethod of claim 8 wherein the data mask is predetermined.
 10. The methodof claim 6 wherein the user's pangenetic data is stored at the secondcomputer or processor.
 11. The method of claim 6 wherein the user'spangenetic data is stored at a third computer or processor.
 12. Aprogram storage device readable by a machine and containing a set ofinstructions which, when read by the machine, causes execution of acomputer based method for providing access to pangenetic data of a userto provide said user with data as to the likelihood of a usefultherapeutic relationship being possible with respect to said user and atherapy provider, comprising: a) transmitting a request from a firstcomputer or processor having therapy data stored therein to a secondcomputer or processor, wherein the request includes requiring access toat least a portion of the pangenetic data of said user; b) processing anauthorization associated with said user from said second computer orprocessor, wherein the authorization associated with said userauthorizes access to said least a portion of the user's pangenetic data;c) receiving and storing said at least a portion of the user'spangenetic data at the first computer or processor; and d) conducting acomparative assessment of said at least a portion of the user'spangenetic data with previously stored treatment provider related datato determine likely outcomes or success rates of said user with saidtreatment provider and providing said success rates to said user basedon prior success rates of treatment of prior users having correlateddegrees of pangenetic data match with said user.
 13. The program storagedevice of claim 12 wherein the processing of said authorization includesthe application of a data mask.
 14. The program storage device of claim13 wherein the processing of said authorization includes the applicationof a predetermined data mask.